Effect of Caloric Restriction on Metabolic Disorders and Pancreatic Apoptosis Associated with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Adult Male Rats

Background: Insulin resistance (IR) and its concomitant relative insulin insufficiency is the cornerstone of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) but the exact pathogenesis that leads to IR is not completely clear. T2DM is considered an explosive problem all over the world due to its dangerous complications which will further reflect passively on the socioeconomic conditions of the community. As obesity is closely interrelated with IR, so, the effects of caloric restriction (CR) were documented to be beneficial on those having T2DM. Even, in some studies, CR had a significant improving effect on both serum glucose level and insulin sensitivity prior to its effect on fat distribution and changes in body weight. Aim of the Work: Is to investigate whether caloric restriction can modulate some of the metabolic disturbances linked with T2DM or not and if it has any protective effect on pancreatic tissues. Material and Methods: Thirty two male albino rats were divided into (GpI) control group, (GpII) type 2 diabetic (DM) group, (GpIII) (CR+DM) and (GpIV) (DM+CR) group. At the end of the experimental study we measured the BMI%, the serum glucose level, serum insulin level, HOMA-IR, serum triglyceride (TG) level and serum high density lipoprotein (HDL) level. Beside we evaluated the DNA ladder in the pancreas. Results: Our results showed that CR either before or after induction of diabetes was associated with significant improvement of serum glucose, insulin, TG and HDL levels, and HOMA-IR and significant disappearance of the pancreatic tissue damage relative to DM group. However, although BMI% was significantly decreased in GpIV yet it did not show any significant change in GpIII when compared to GpII. Conclusion: 30% caloric restriction regimen led to significant improvement in T2DM and its related metabolic disorders and even can modulate its pathogenesis.