Abstract

 

A major feature of type 1 diabetes mellitus is hyperglycemia and dysfunction of pancreatic ¥â-cells. In a previous study, we showed that Tat-DJ-1 protein inhibits pancreatic RINm5F ¥â-cell death caused by oxidative stress. In this study, we examine the effects of Tat-DJ-1 protein on streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice. Wild type (WT) Tat-DJ-1 protein transduced into pancreas where it markedly inhibited pancreatic ¥â-cell destruction and regulated the level of serum parameters including insulin, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and free fatty acid (FFA) secretion. In addition, transduced WT Tat-DJ-1 protein significantly inhibited the activation of NF-¥êB and MAPK (ERK and p38) expression as well as COX-2 and iNOS expression in STZ exposed pancreas. In contrast, there were no protective effects of treatment with C106A mutant Tat-DJ-1 protein. Collectively our results indicate that WT Tat-DJ-1 protein significantly ameliorates pancreatic tissues in STZ exposed diabetic mice.