Microscopic and ultrastructural examination highlights the antioxidant and pancreatic protective effects of chitosan nanoparticles in diabetic rats

This research aimed to examine the impact of synthesized chitosan nanoparticles (ChN) on streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats through metabolic, antioxidant, histopathological, histochemical, ultrastructural and immunohistochemical analyses. ChN were analyzed through Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR). Rats were allocated into the following groups: control, ChN (0.5mg/kg body weight), diabetics induced by streptozotocin (STZ, 65mg/kg body weight), and STZ-ChN (0.5 mg/kg body weight). SEM results indicated that ChN exhibited a uniform spherical morphology. Treatment with ChN led to a significant increase in insulin levels and a decrease in glucose and HbA1c, in contrast to the STZ group. ChN treatment significantly reduced the lipid profile. Significant increase in superoxide dismutase and nitric oxide levels, alongside a reduction in malondialdehyde levels was seen after ChN treatment. ChN therapy improved the histopathological changes of pancreatic islets, increasing β-cell density and insulin immunostaining expression. Pancreatic collagen deposition and TGF-β1 immunostaining were also decreased. Ultrastructural studies confirmed the protective effects of ChN on pancreatic cells (α, β, δ). These findings indicated that ChN may function as a potential therapeutic agent for diabetes mellitus management, emphasizing its role in modulating metabolic, antioxidant, and hypoglycemic disturbances while protecting pancreatic tissue.