The protein expression levels of B‑cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl‑2), Bcl‑2‑associated X protein (Bax), cytochrome c (cyt‑c), apoptotic protease activating factor 1 (apaf‑1), caspase‑9, caspase‑7, caspase‑3, sequestosome 1 (SQSTM1) and microtubule‑associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3) were analyzed through western blot analysis.
STZ treatment led to significant decrease in phospho-AMP-activated protein kinase (p-AMPK) level; reduction in levels of phospho-protein kinase R-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK) and inositol-requiring enzyme 1α (IRE1α); significant reduction in levels of p85α, p110, phospho-serine and threonine kinase/protein kinase B (p-Akt/PKB) (Ser473), phospho-extracellular-regulated kinase (p-ERK), and phospho-mammalian target of rapamycin (p-mTOR); increase in levels of Cu/Zn-superoxide dismutase (SOD), Mn-SOD, and catalase; decrease in B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) expression; increase in Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax) expression; increase in levels of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3) and Beclin 1; and reduction in production of intracellular insulin.
The expression of Cx43, autophagic maker proteins [Beclin‑1, p62 and microtubule‑associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3)], apoptosis maker proteins (B‑cell lymphoma‑2 and Bcl‑2 associated X protein), AMP‑activated protein kinase (AMPK) and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) were determined using western blotting.