Abstract
In this report, we have shown that the standard laboratory diet administered to Psammomys obesus (sand rat) from Beni Abbes in Algeria, induced a non-insulin dependant diabetes, characterised by increase of body weight (p<0.001) as well as hyperinsulinemia, hyperglycemia and hypercholesterolemia. In cultured aortic smooth muscle cells (SMC) of sand rats, type I and type III collagen biosynthesis and insulin effects, at low dose, on these parameters were investigated. In all experimental conditions of cultured SMC study, The α chains of type I collagen were analysed by immunoblotting in media and cells.Metabolic radiolabelling and Immunochemical procedures revealed that, in diabetic state, synthetic SMC (SMCs) actively produce type I and III collagen which are synthesised in the cells and secreted in the medium; type I collagen was predominant as compared with type III collagen. Diabetes enhanced the collagen synthesis. Low dose of Insulin added to the medium, during 48h of incubation, induced a marked reduction in the synthesis of collagen types, especially type I collagen.