Objective     To study the expression of pancreatic PRMT1-ADMA-DDAH1 axis in rats with diabetics

and the effect of probucol on its expression and function of pancreatic islets.     Methods    Thirty rats were divided into control group

diabetes group

and probucol group

10 rats in each group. A diabetic rat model was established by intra-peritoneal injection with streptozotocin (STZ) and breeding with high fat and glucose. Rats in probucol group were lavaged with probucol at 500 mg／(kg·d). Pancreatic tissues were collected from the 3 groups 8 weeks after drug intervention. ADMA level in pancreas was measured by ELISA. Expression of PRMT1 and DDAH1 mRNA was detected by RT-PCR. Expression of PRMT1 protein in pancreas was detected by Western blotting. Expression of insulin and PRMT1 in pancreas was detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Levels of FBG

FINS

MDA

SOD

and CAT in blood samples were measured.     Results    The ADMA level was 464.50±53.83

1 255.34±188.00

and 891.72±52.10  μmol/L

respectively

in the 3 groups

which was higher in diabetes and probucol groups than in control group

and lower in probucol group than in diabetes group (P0.01). The expression level of PRMT1 mRNA was significantly higher in diabetes and probucol groups than in control group (P0.01). Western blotting and IHC showed that the expression level of DDAH1 in pancreatic PRMT1-ADMA-DDAH1 axis was higher in diabetes group than in control group and significantly lower in probucol group than in diabetes group (P0.01).     Conclusion    PRMT1 is highly expressed while DDAH1 is lowly expressed in pancreatic PRMT1-ADMA-DDAH1 axis of patients with diabetes

leading to increased ADMA concentrations

oxidative stress and decreased function of pancreatic islets. Probucol can regulate the expression of pancreatic PRMT1-ADMA-DDAH1 axis

thus inhibiting oxidative stress and improving the function of pancreatic islets.