Endocrine Abstracts

Background: Neurotrophins are implicated in the physiology and pathophysiology of the mature gastrointestinal tract (GIT) such as motility and inflammatory bowel disease. Moreover, GIT disturbances has been attributed to hyperinsuliemia. Insulin-neurotrophins interactions in the (GIT) have not been investigated yet.

Aim: To test the effect of Insulin on the expression of neurotrophins in the muscular wall of mice intestine and colon.

Methods: Total protein extracts from intestinal and colonic muscular wall treated for 24 hours with insulin were subjected to ELISA assays specific for different neurotrophins and data were analyzed using suitable statistical test with graph pad.

Results: Insulin treatment resulted in significant reduction of neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) protein levels in the muscular wall of both mice intestine and colon. Moreover, neurotrophin-4 (NT-4) levels were significantly reduced in response to insulin treatment in muscular tissue from both intestine and clone as well. Interestingly the effect of insulin was more profound in the colon on NT-3 and NT-4.

Conclusion: These results indicate that changes in GIT structure and function seen in hyperinsulinemia might be due to the effect of insulin on neurotrophins expression levels. However, functional studies are needed to elucidate the exact interactions between insulin and neurotrophins in the GIT.