The level of gene expression of Bax and Bcl-2 and the activity of caspase 3 in the liver tissues of normal, type 1 and type 2 diabetic rats before and after treatment with aqueous extract of garlic

Abstract

Introduction: One of the complications of diabetes mellitus is induction of apoptosis in liver tissues. Activation of caspase 3 caused apoptosis in the cells. Garlic is a most common plant in diet that its effect on apoptosis was not determined. In this study the effects of this extract on Bax and Bcl-2 gene expression and the activity of caspase 3, were determined in type 1 and 2 of diabetes in rats. Methods: Wistar rats divided into six groups included normal control rats, diabetes type 1 (D1), diabetes type 1 treated with garlic extract (D1G), diabetes type 2 (D2), diabetes type 2 treated with garlic extract (D2G) and garlic control (G). At the end of treatment time, liver tissues were removed quickly and stored in -70 °C. For evaluation of gene expression, RNA extraction, cDNA synthesis and Real time PCR were done. The activity of caspase 3 was determined with flourometric method. Results: The level of gene expression of Bax and Bcl-2, did not change significantly in different groups. The activity of caspase 3 in D1 rats, increased significantly compared to the control rats(p=0.003). The activity of this enzyme was high in D1G compared to control rats yet (p=0.021). In D2, D2G and G groups, caspase activity was not changed in comparison with the control rats Conclusion: Diabetes mellitus type1 caused apoptosis in rat livers, but garlic extract cannot ameliorate it