RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the early onset effects of diabetes on pro-angiogenic signaling pathway, total number of bone marrow cells, organs (pancreas and kidney) damage and the reversal effect of diabetes by combinatorial treatment of curcumin and bone marrow transplantation in streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic mice. METHODS: In the present study, Streptozotocin induced diabetic mice were transplanted with bone marrow cells (2 × 10(6) ) followed by the administration of curcumin (80 mg/kg bodyweight). Effect of diabetes on the different organs was studied by H&E, Western blotting and immunofluorescence using vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), platelet/endothelial cell adhesion molecule (PECAM), insulin, Caspase-9 and Caspase-3 antibodies. RESULTS: The effect of diabetes results in the reduction of the total cell number and viability of the bone marrow cells, organ degeneration and lower VEGF/PECAM expression. However, transplantation with normal bone marrow cells significantly reduced the blood glucose levels (above normal range) and initiated the organ regeneration via the VEGF/PECAM mediated manner. Curcumin treatment further reduced the blood glucose level (near normal); and accelerated the organ regeneration, enhanced VEGF/PECAM expression and decreased caspase expression level in the organs. Curcumin also had a protective role against the glucotoxicity test performed on the bone marrow cells. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that bone marrow transplantation and curcumin administration is an effective treatment in reversing the early onset effects of diabetes via the VEGF/PECAM signaling pathway.