Correlation Between Tumor Necrosis Factor α and Apoptosis of Pancreatic Islet Cells in Rats with Diabetes Mellitus Complicated Infection

Objective To investigate the association between the tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)and apoptosis of pancreatic islet cells in animal model with diabetes mellitus complicated infection. Methods After diabetic model of rats was induced by streptozotocin, the rats were operated by cecal ligation and punctured to induce animal model with DM complicated infection. The other groups were normal control, single DM and single infection group. Semi-quantitative mRNA analysis was applied, as well as the level of TNF-α was measured by ELISA. Islet cell were separated by collagenase digestion in bile duct, apoptosis of islet cells were measured by quantitative analysis. Results The levels of TNF-α were increased significantly in pancreas of rats with DM complicated infection, but the concentration of TNF-α in plasma did not be elevated in DM group compared to normal rats; Ratio of apoptosis of islet cells also was elevated in complicated group. There was statistically significant association between pancreatic TNF-α levels and ratio of apoptosis of islet cells. Conclusion The study may reflect amplified inflammation reaction and function impairment of islet, especially in the rats with DM complicated infection.