The protective effect of pentoxifylline versus silymarin on the pancreas through increasing adenosine by CD39 in a rat model of liver cirrhosis: Pharmacological, biochemical and histological study

Impaired glucose homoeostasis due to insulin resistance and decrease sensitivity of pancreatic β-cells is a feature of liver disease and results into hepatogenous diabetes. Decrease expression of CD39 was linked to inflammation and occurrence of diabetes. Therefore, we performed this study to explore the protective effect of pentoxifylline (PTX) and silymarin administration on the β-cells of the pancreas in a rat model of thioacetamide induced liver cirrhosis. Biochemical, histological and immunohistochemistry studies of the liver and pancreas were performed and provided an evidence on the protective effect of PTX to pancreatic β-cells compared to silymarin. Also, silymarin induced a significant improvement of liver cirrhosis compared to PTX. In conclusion, the potential protective effect of PTX against β-cells deterioration could be attributed to increasing pancreatic CD39 expression and the subsequent increase of adenosine. •Impaired glucose homoeostasis is a feature of liver disease.•CD39 increases the level of the anti-inflammatory adenosine.•Pentoxifylline (PTX) increased CD39 expression and subsequent adenosine level.•PTX protected pancreatic β-cells of cirrhotic rats via increasing adenosine by CD39.