Hexarelin Protects Rodent Pancreatic Β-Cells Function from Cytotoxic Effects of Streptozotocin Involving Mitochondrial Signalling Pathways In Vivo and In Vitro.

Zhao Y, Zhang X, Chen J, Lin C, Shao R, Yan C, Chen C

PloS one26 Feb 2016Cited by 10 (Europe PMC)

PMID26918825PMCIDPMC4769129DOI10.1371/journal.pone.0149730PepBankPUB-26918825

Summary

Mitochondrial functions are crucial for pancreatic β-cell survival and glucose-induced insulin secretion. Hexarelin (Hex) is a synthetic small peptide ghrelin analogue, which has been shown to protect cardiomyocytes from the ischemia-reperfusion process. In this study, we used in vitro and in vivo models of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced β-cell damage to study the protective effect of Hex and the associated mechanisms. We found that STZ produced a cytotoxic effect in a dose- and time-dependent manner in MIN6 cells (a mouse β-cell line). Hex (1.0 μM) decreased the STZ-induced damage in β-cells. Rhodamine 123 assay and superoxide DHE production assay revealed that Hex ameliorated STZ-induced mitochondrial damage and excessive superoxide activity in β-cells. In addition, Hex significantly reduced STZ-induced expression of cleaved Caspases-3, Caspases-9 and the ratio of pro-apoptotic protein Bax to anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 in MIN6 cells. We further examined the in vivo effect of Hex in a rat model of type 1 diabetes induced by STZ injection. Hex ameliorated STZ-induced decrease in plasma insulin and protected the structure of islets from STZ-induced disruption. Hex also ameliorated STZ-induced expression of cleaved Caspase-9 and the Bax in β-cells. In conclusion, our data indicate that Hex is able to protects β-cell mass from STZ-caused cytotoxic effects involving mitochondrial pathways in vitro and in vivo. Hex may serve as a potential protective agent for the management of diabetes.

CC BYText from Europe PMC. Highlighted sentences are the source of results.

Results from this study10

10 results from studies that gave the peptide. No result from this study comes from people.

01AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Efficacy outcome
In rats with streptozotocin-induced type 1 diabetes, hexarelin ameliorated the streptozotocin-induced decrease in plasma insulin.
In plain wordsIn rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes, hexarelin lessened the drop in blood insulin.
Peptide
Hexarelin
Outcome
IncreasePlasma insulin
Study
ratn: not reported in source
Rat model of type 1 diabetes induced by STZ injection
Comparator
STZ without hexarelin
Outcome group
Glycemic control · Endocrine and hormones
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Source sentences
Summary
Hex ameliorated STZ-induced decrease in plasma insulin and protected the structure of islets from STZ-induced disruption.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
We further examined the in vivo effect of Hex in a rat model of type 1 diabetes induced by STZ injection.
Summary · context
In this study, we used in vitro and in vivo models of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced β-cell damage to study the protective effect of Hex and the associated mechanisms.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-2691882507
02AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Efficacy outcome
In rats with streptozotocin-induced type 1 diabetes, hexarelin protected islet structure from streptozotocin-induced disruption.
In plain wordsIn rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes, hexarelin helped keep the structure of insulin-producing islets intact.
Peptide
Hexarelin
Outcome
IncreaseIslet structure
Study
ratn: not reported in source
Rat model of type 1 diabetes induced by STZ injection
Comparator
STZ without hexarelin
Outcome group
Glycemic control · Endocrine and hormones
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Source sentences
Summary
Hex ameliorated STZ-induced decrease in plasma insulin and protected the structure of islets from STZ-induced disruption.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
We further examined the in vivo effect of Hex in a rat model of type 1 diabetes induced by STZ injection.
Summary · context
In this study, we used in vitro and in vivo models of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced β-cell damage to study the protective effect of Hex and the associated mechanisms.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-2691882508
03AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Mechanism
In rats with streptozotocin-induced type 1 diabetes, hexarelin ameliorated streptozotocin-induced expression of cleaved Caspase-9 in beta-cells.
In plain wordsIn rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes, hexarelin lowered a cell-death marker (cleaved Caspase-9) in beta-cells.
Peptide
Hexarelin
Outcome
DecreaseCleaved Caspase-9 expression in beta-cells
Study
ratn: not reported in source
Rat model of type 1 diabetes induced by STZ injection
Comparator
STZ without hexarelin
Outcome group
Receptor activity and mechanism · Endocrine and hormones
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Source sentences
Summary
Hex also ameliorated STZ-induced expression of cleaved Caspase-9 and the Bax in β-cells.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
We further examined the in vivo effect of Hex in a rat model of type 1 diabetes induced by STZ injection.
Summary · context
In this study, we used in vitro and in vivo models of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced β-cell damage to study the protective effect of Hex and the associated mechanisms.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-2691882509
04AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Mechanism
In rats with streptozotocin-induced type 1 diabetes, hexarelin ameliorated streptozotocin-induced expression of Bax in beta-cells.
In plain wordsIn rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes, hexarelin lowered the cell-death protein Bax in beta-cells.
Peptide
Hexarelin
Outcome
DecreaseBax expression in beta-cells
Study
ratn: not reported in source
Rat model of type 1 diabetes induced by STZ injection
Comparator
STZ without hexarelin
Outcome group
Receptor activity and mechanism · Endocrine and hormones
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Source sentences
Summary
Hex also ameliorated STZ-induced expression of cleaved Caspase-9 and the Bax in β-cells.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
We further examined the in vivo effect of Hex in a rat model of type 1 diabetes induced by STZ injection.
Summary · context
In this study, we used in vitro and in vivo models of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced β-cell damage to study the protective effect of Hex and the associated mechanisms.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-2691882510
05LabIn vitro (cells)Efficacy outcome
In MIN6 mouse beta-cells, hexarelin at 1.0 μM decreased streptozotocin-induced cell damage.
In plain wordsIn lab-grown mouse beta-cells, hexarelin reduced damage caused by streptozotocin.
Peptide
Hexarelin
Outcome
DecreaseSTZ-induced beta-cell damage
Study
mousen: not reported in source
MIN6 mouse beta-cell line
Comparator
STZ alone
Outcome group
Receptor activity and mechanism · Endocrine and hormones
Studied dose
1.0 μMAs given in this study (mouse).
Source sentences
Summary
Hex (1.0 μM) decreased the STZ-induced damage in β-cells.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
In this study, we used in vitro and in vivo models of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced β-cell damage to study the protective effect of Hex and the associated mechanisms.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-2691882501
06LabIn vitro (cells)Mechanism
In MIN6 mouse beta-cells, hexarelin ameliorated streptozotocin-induced mitochondrial damage.
In plain wordsIn lab-grown mouse beta-cells, hexarelin lessened streptozotocin-caused damage to mitochondria.
Peptide
Hexarelin
Outcome
DecreaseSTZ-induced mitochondrial damage
Study
mousen: not reported in source
MIN6 mouse beta-cell line
Comparator
STZ alone
Outcome group
Mitochondrial function · Endocrine and hormones
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Source sentences
Summary
Rhodamine 123 assay and superoxide DHE production assay revealed that Hex ameliorated STZ-induced mitochondrial damage and excessive superoxide activity in β-cells.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
In this study, we used in vitro and in vivo models of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced β-cell damage to study the protective effect of Hex and the associated mechanisms.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-2691882502
07LabIn vitro (cells)Mechanism
In MIN6 mouse beta-cells, hexarelin ameliorated streptozotocin-induced excessive superoxide activity.
In plain wordsIn lab-grown mouse beta-cells, hexarelin lessened the excess superoxide caused by streptozotocin.
Peptide
Hexarelin
Outcome
DecreaseSTZ-induced superoxide activity
Study
mousen: not reported in source
MIN6 mouse beta-cell line
Comparator
STZ alone
Outcome group
Mitochondrial function · Endocrine and hormones
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Source sentences
Summary
Rhodamine 123 assay and superoxide DHE production assay revealed that Hex ameliorated STZ-induced mitochondrial damage and excessive superoxide activity in β-cells.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
In this study, we used in vitro and in vivo models of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced β-cell damage to study the protective effect of Hex and the associated mechanisms.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-2691882503
08LabIn vitro (cells)Mechanism
In MIN6 mouse beta-cells, hexarelin significantly reduced streptozotocin-induced expression of cleaved Caspase-3.
In plain wordsIn lab-grown mouse beta-cells, hexarelin lowered a cell-death marker (cleaved Caspase-3) raised by streptozotocin.
Peptide
Hexarelin
Outcome
DecreaseCleaved Caspase-3 expression
Study
mousen: not reported in source
MIN6 mouse beta-cell line
Comparator
STZ alone
Outcome group
Receptor activity and mechanism · Endocrine and hormones
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Source sentences
Summary
In addition, Hex significantly reduced STZ-induced expression of cleaved Caspases-3, Caspases-9 and the ratio of pro-apoptotic protein Bax to anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 in MIN6 cells.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
In this study, we used in vitro and in vivo models of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced β-cell damage to study the protective effect of Hex and the associated mechanisms.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-2691882504
09LabIn vitro (cells)Mechanism
In MIN6 mouse beta-cells, hexarelin significantly reduced streptozotocin-induced expression of cleaved Caspase-9.
In plain wordsIn lab-grown mouse beta-cells, hexarelin lowered a cell-death marker (cleaved Caspase-9) raised by streptozotocin.
Peptide
Hexarelin
Outcome
DecreaseCleaved Caspase-9 expression
Study
mousen: not reported in source
MIN6 mouse beta-cell line
Comparator
STZ alone
Outcome group
Receptor activity and mechanism · Endocrine and hormones
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Source sentences
Summary
In addition, Hex significantly reduced STZ-induced expression of cleaved Caspases-3, Caspases-9 and the ratio of pro-apoptotic protein Bax to anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 in MIN6 cells.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
In this study, we used in vitro and in vivo models of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced β-cell damage to study the protective effect of Hex and the associated mechanisms.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-2691882505
10LabIn vitro (cells)Mechanism
In MIN6 mouse beta-cells, hexarelin significantly reduced the streptozotocin-induced ratio of pro-apoptotic Bax to anti-apoptotic Bcl-2.
In plain wordsIn lab-grown mouse beta-cells, hexarelin lowered the Bax to Bcl-2 cell-death balance raised by streptozotocin.
Peptide
Hexarelin
Outcome
DecreaseBax to Bcl-2 ratio
Study
mousen: not reported in source
MIN6 mouse beta-cell line
Comparator
STZ alone
Outcome group
Receptor activity and mechanism · Endocrine and hormones
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Source sentences
Summary
In addition, Hex significantly reduced STZ-induced expression of cleaved Caspases-3, Caspases-9 and the ratio of pro-apoptotic protein Bax to anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 in MIN6 cells.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
In this study, we used in vitro and in vivo models of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced β-cell damage to study the protective effect of Hex and the associated mechanisms.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-2691882506

AI wrote and checked these results. AI can make mistakes, so check important results against the source.

Version history

PepBank keeps every version of the data on this study. Status changes from Retraction Watch, Europe PMC and Crossref are listed with their source.

Version 2Current
13 Oct 2026, 21:44 UTC
Study results updated
Version 1
13 Oct 2026, 16:31 UTC
First added · source update from Europe PMC

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Hexarelin Protects Rodent Pancreatic Β-Cells Function from Cytotoxic Effects of Streptozotocin Involving Mitochondrial Signalling Pathways In Vivo and In Vitro.

Summary

Results from this study10

Version history

Subjects

Publication types

MeSH terms