Metformin Effect on the Mouse Pancreatic Langerhans Islets Volume

Background and Objective: Metformin is a widely used medicine for treatment of type ۲ diabetes. In this study, the effect of various doses of metformin on the mouse islets of langerhans volume was investigated. Materials and methods: Twenty four C۵۷BL/۶ adult male mice weighting ۳۰±۵ gr were randomly divided into ۴ groups. Normal saline was given to the control group (group ۴) and the experimental groups (groups ۱-۳) received ۷۵, ۱۵۰ and ۳۰۰ mg/kg metformin daily by intraperitoneal injection for seven days. One day after the last injection the mice were sacrificed by cervical dislocation and their pancreases were fixed in ۱۰% formalin for histological studies. The volume of the islets of langerhans was estimated by using Cavalieri method.   Results: Volume of the islets of langerhans in doses of ۷۵ and ۱۵۰ mg/kg Metformin showed a non-significant difference in comparison to control group (P>۰.۰۵). ۳۰۰ mg/kg metformin treated mice showed a significant increase in islets of langerhans volume compared to the control group (P<۰.۰۵). Conclusion: Metformin increases in the islets of langerhans volume in a dose-dependent manner. Increasing effects of Metformin on the islets of langerhans volume may be due to proliferation or hypertrophy of beta cells.

Keywords:

Metformin , Pancreas , Islets of langerhans , Mice