Effect of Metformin on the Expression of α-7nAch Receptors in Alloxan-induced Diabetic Mouse Model: A Preliminary Study

Elham Rasheed Hameed; Muna Rasheed Hameed; Baidaa Najm Obeed

doi:10.54133/ajms.v9i1.1937

Authors

Elham Rasheed Hameed Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, Ibn Sina University of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Baghdad, Iraq https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1504-501X
Muna Rasheed Hameed Ibn Sina Center for Pharmaceutical Research, Corporation for Research and Industrial Development, Baghdad, Iraq. https://orcid.org/0009-0002-0636-8431
Baidaa Najm Obeed Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, Mustansiriyah University, Baghdad, Iraq https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8166-3097

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54133/ajms.v9i1.1937

Keywords:

α7-nAChRs, Dementia, Diabetic mouse model, Metformin

Abstract

Background: Biological evidence confirmed the link between diabetic disease and cognitive dysfunction, but the exact mechanism is not fully understood. Alpha-7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (α7-nAChRs) are transmembrane receptors activated in response to neurotransmitters and play an important role in the mammal’s cognitive function. Objectives: To study the effect of metformin on α7-nAchRs expression in brain and spleen tissues of diabetic mice. Methods: Forty mice were allocated into 4 groups and were subjected to 7- and 12-week interventions. G1 was healthy, G2 experimentally induced diabetes without treatment, and G3 and G4 were diabetic mice treated with metformin (50 and 100 mg/kg, respectively). Blood glucose level was monitored during treatment. α7-nAChRs expression was evaluated by the immunohistochemical method after ending treatment. Results: In brain tissue, G1 showed strong expression (+2.5), and G2 weak (+1) for both periods. G3 and G4 revealed moderate (+1.5) staining in 7 weeks and weak (+1) in 12 weeks. In spleen tissues, G1, G2, and G3 showed strong staining (+3), but G4 revealed moderate (+1.5) in 7 weeks and moderate to strong (+3/+2.5) in 12 weeks. Conclusions: Diabetic mice exhibit low expression of α7nAChRs in the brain tissue, but those receptors were moderately recovered at 7 weeks of therapy duration by metformin, which may be a good therapeutic option for the management of dementia.

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