| Abstract: | This thesis Entitled Neuronal degeneration in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats: effect of aegle marmelose and pyridoxine in pancreatic B cell proliferation and neuronal survival. Diabetes mellitus, a chronic metabolic disorder results in neurological dysfunctions and structural changes in the CNS. Antioxidant therapy is a challenging  but necessary dimension in the management of diabetes and neurodegenerative  changes associated with it. Our results showed regional variation and imbalance in the expression pattern of dopaminergic receptor subtypes in diabetes and its role in  imbalanced insulin signaling and glucose regulation. Disrupted dopaminergic  signaling and increased hyperglycemic stress in diabetes contributed to the neuronal  loss. Neuronal loss in diabetic rats mediated through the expression of pattern of  GLUT-3, CREB, IGF-1, Akt-1, NF,B, second messengers- cAMP, cGMP, IP3 and  activation of apoptotic factors factors- TNF-a,caspase-8. Disrupted dopaminergic  receptor expressions and its signaling in pancreas contributed defective insulin   secretion in diabetes. Activation of apoptotic factors- TNF- a,caspase-8 and defective  functioning of neuronal survival factors, disrupted second messenger signaling  modulated neuronal viability in diabetes. Hyperglycemic stress activated the  expression of TNF-a,caspase-8, BAX and differential expression of anti oxidant
enzymes- SOD and GPx in liver lead to apoptosis. Treatment of diabetic rats with  insulin, Aegle marmelose and pyridoxine significantly reversed the altered  dopaminergic neurotransmission, GLUT3, GLUT2, IGF-1 and second messenger  signaling. Antihyperglycemic and antioxidant activity of Aegle marmelose and  pyridoxine enhanced pancreatic B cell proliferation, increased insulin synthesis and  secretion in diabetic rats. Thus our results conclude the neuroprotective and  regenerating ability of Aegle marmelose and pyridoxine which in turn has a novel  therapeutic role in the management of diabetes. |