The Distribution of Activating Transcription Factor 6 (ATF6) and Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) in the Duodenum Tissue of Diabetic and Non-Diabetic Rats

Objective: This study was conducted with the purpose of investigating the distribution of the Activating Transcription Factor 6 (ATF6) and the Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) in the duodenum tissue of diabetic and non-diabetic rats. Material and Method: Eighteen female Sprague dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups as the control, sham and diabetes groups. Routine histological and immunohistochemical methods were applied on the duodenum tissues collected at the end of the study. Results: It was determined that the villus length measurements showed a statistically significant difference between the control and diabetes groups. There was NGF immunoreactivity which was moderate and diffuse cytoplasmic in the villus intestinalis and muscularis layer in all groups, weak in the crypts and glands in the control and sham groups and moderate and diffuse cytoplasmic in the diabetes group. ATF6 immunoreactivity was determined moderate in the villus intestinalis, crypts, glands and muscularis layer in the control and sham groups and strong diffuse cytoplasmic in the diabetes group. Conclusion: It was determined that both NGF and ATF6 immunoreactivity increased in the duodenum tissue of the rats on which diabetes was induced experimentally.