Introduction: It is reported that dysfunctioning of islets and elevated levels of fasting blood glucose are found in rats exposed to nicotine. Lycopene is thought to have a potential role as an effective antioxidant in the prevention of chronic diseases associated with oxidative stress. Folic acid is a water‐soluble vitamin B that is essential for amino acid metabolism.
Aim of the Study: To explore the effects of nicotine toxicity on pancreatic islets and protective impact of lycopene & folic acid supplementation.
Material and Methods: Fifty healthy adult male albino rats were separated into five groups. Control , Nicotine treated at which, rats were injected intraperitoneal by nicotine 3mg/kg daily for a period of 3 weeks . Nicotine + Lycopene treated group at which rats received lycopene at a dosage of 10 mg/kg b.wt. daily in combination with nicotine treatment for 3 weeks. Nicotine + Folic acid treated group at which ,rats were injected nicotine and given Folic acid orally at a dosage of 36 μg/kg. b.wt and recovery group at which rats kept for one month after 3 weeks of nicotine injection. then pancreatic tissues were examined for histopathological and immunohistochemical changes.
Results: Nicotine treated group showed degenerated pancreatic islets with ill-defined outline . Numerous collagen fibers were present within and around the pancreatic islets in masson stained pancreatic sections, Strong INOs immunoreactivity but anti-insulin immuno expression has decreased. Lycopene and Folic acid reduces toxic effect of nicotine on pancreatic islets, but Folic acid revealed a significant decrease in collagen fibers, INOs immunoreactivity and significant increase in anti-insulin immuno expression compared with that in Lycopene group.
Conclusion: Use of lycopene during the period of nicotine injection considered to have a protecting influence on pancreatic islets. Meanwhile The use of Folic acid has a more protection than Lycopene.