STUDY OF SPHINGOSINE KINASE (SPHK) SIGNALLING ASSOCIATED WITH DIABETES-INDUCED COGNITIVE DECLINE IN WISTAR RATS
Background and objective: Recent research suggests that sphingolipid metabolism is altered in diabetes and that an increase in ceramide levels, linked to insulin resistance, may cause cognitive impairment.The aim of this study was to determine whether sphingosine kinases (Sphks) could be used as a signalling pathway leading to cognitive impairment in diabetic rats.
Material and methods: The study involved 24 Wistar rats, classified as normal, untreated diabetic and treated with D-erythrodihydrosphingosine, fed glucose and food to prevent hypoglycaemia, and subjected to the behavioural test including the 8-arm radial maze. RT-PCR was then used to assess the expression of sphingosine kinases (Sphks).
Results: The study analysed the effects of diabetes on the weight and cognitive abilities of the rats. The results showed a significant weight loss in diabetic rats from 7 days onwards, with memory deficits and a reduction in spatial learning in a radial maze. The study also showed a significant reduction in the expression of SPK1 and SPK2 messenger RNAs in diabetic rats, suggesting inhibition of their expression due to diabetes.
Conclusion: Diabetes adversely affects body weight and cognitive function in rats, leading to weight loss and memory impairment. Expression of the SPK1 and SPK2 enzymes suggests a link between hyperglycaemia and enzyme expression, requiring future studies to modulate these enzymes and explore more effective therapeutic interventions for better management of diabetic patients.
Key words: Cognitive impairment, diabetes, rats, sphingosine kinases.
