Organic chromium derived from the chelation of Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharide and chromium (III) alleviates metabolic syndromes and intestinal microbiota dysbiosis induced by high-fat and high-fructose diet.

Organic chromium is of great interest and has become an important chromium supplement resource in recent years because of its low toxicity and easy absorption. In our previous study, we synthesized a novel organic chromium [GLP-Cr] through the chelation of Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharide and chromium (III). The purpose of this study was to investigate the beneficial effects of GLP-Cr on the improvement of metabolic syndromes (MetS) in mice fed with a high-fat and high-fructose diet (HFHFD) and its mechanism of action. The results indicated that oral administration of GLP-Cr inhibited the excessive exaltation of body weight, glucose tolerance, fasting blood glucose and lipid levels, hepatic total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG) levels caused by HFHFD. Besides, 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing showed that GLP-Cr intervention evidently ameliorated intestinal microbiota dysbiosis by changing the proportions of some intestinal microbial phylotypes. In addition, correlation network-based analysis indicated that the key intestinal microbial phylotypes were closely related to biochemical parameters associated with MetS under GLP-Cr intervention. Liver metabolomics analysis suggested that GLP-Cr intervention significantly regulated the levels of some biomarkers involved in alpha-linolenic acid metabolism, fatty acid biosynthesis, steroid hormone biosynthesis, glycerophospholipid metabolism, glycerolipid metabolism, steroid hormone biosynthesis, primary bile acid biosynthesis, and so on. Moreover, GLP-Cr intervention regulated liver mRNA levels of key genes associated with glucose and lipid metabolism. The mRNA level of glucose transporter type 4 (Glut4) was markedly increased by GLP-Cr intervention, and the mRNA levels of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (Pepck) and glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase) in the liver were significantly decreased. Meanwhile, GLP-Cr intervention significantly decreased hepatic mRNA levels of cluster of differentiation 36 (Cd36), acetyl-CoA carboxylase 1 (Acc1) and sterol regulatory element binding protein-1c (Srebp-1c), indicating that GLP-Cr intervention inhibited the excessive accumulation of free fatty acids in the liver. These findings suggest that the prevention of hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia by GLP-Cr may be closely related to the regulation of gut microbial composition and hepatic metabolic pathways, thus GLP-Cr can be serving as a functional component in the prevention of MetS.

Antidiabetic Potential of Sinigrin Against Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetes via Modulating Inflammation and Oxidative Stress.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a common metabolic disorder which arises due to the improper carbohydrate metabolism, decreased secretion/activity of insulin, and genetic abnormalities, which result in the increased blood glucose level generally known as hyperglycemia. Diabetes holds an increased global prevalence in each year and is responsible for increased morbidity and mortality rates. Hence, the current investigation focusses to assess the antidiabetic potential of sinigrin on diabetic animal model through the suppression of inflammation. Diabetes was initiated to the animals via administering streptozotocin (STZ) and supplemented with the sinigrin at 25- and 50-mg/kg dose via oral route. The diabetic rats demonstrated the elevated glucose, food and water intake, kidney and liver weights, and reduced bodyweight and depleted insulin status. The sinigrin treatment remarkably improved and modulated these changes in diabetic animals. Additionally, the sinigrin supplementation also modulated the changes in glucose-6-phosphatase; fructose 1,6-bisphosphatase; AST; ALT; creatinine; and inflammatory mediators in the STZ-provoked diabetic animals. The levels of hexokinase, protein, and antioxidants also improved by the sinigrin treatment. The histological investigations of pancreas also witnessed the therapeutic actions of sinigrin, which is supported by the findings of biochemical examinations. Therefore, it was clear that the sinigrin supplementation displayed remarkable antidiabetic effect on STZ-initiated diabetic animals via modulating inflammation and other biochemical changes, which recommends that sinigrin could be a talented candidate for diabetes management in the future.

Selenium Supplementation Increases Hepatic Glucose-6-Phosphatase and Peroxisome Proliferator Activated Receptor Gamma Coactivator-1α Activity in Male Wistar Rats.

Increased selenium supplementation has been implicated in diabetes mellitus via peroxisome-proliferator-activated-receptor-gamma-coactivator-1-alpha (PGC-1α) associated pathways. This study was designed to investigate the effect of selenium supplementation on PGC-1α and glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase) as well its likely hepato toxicity in male Wistar rats. Animals were randomly divided into 3 groups (n=10/group) and treated orally with water (0.2ml - group 1) or selenium (25µg/day -group 2; 50µg/day - group 3) for 28 and 56days, respectively. Thereafter, blood samples were collected and estimated for glucose, alkaline-phosphate (ALP), gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) and aspartate-aminotransferase (AST). Liver homogenates were analyzed for PGC-1α and G6Pase activity. Significant dose-dependent increases in blood glucose, hepatic PGC-1α and G6Pase activities were observed on days 28 and 56 in selenium groups compared to group 1. Serum GGT activity increased in both selenium groups on day 28 however, on day 56 values in group 2 were reduced and increased in group 3, respectively. Compared to control ALP reduced in selenium groups while AST was not significantly different. This study suggests that selenium supplementation increases hepatic peroxisome-proliferator-activated-receptor-gamma-coactivator-1α and glucose-6-phosphatase activity leading to a likely increase in hepatic glucose output. It also shows that though selenium supplementation at the doses used maybe nontoxic to hepatocytes, it may however exert potential toxicity on the biliary tract.

Autoimmunity to both proinsulin and IGRP is required for diabetes in nonobese diabetic 8.3 TCR transgenic mice.

T cells specific for proinsulin and islet-specific glucose-6-phosphatase catalytic subunit related protein (IGRP) induce diabetes in nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice. TCR transgenic mice with CD8(+) T cells specific for IGRP(206-214) (NOD8.3 mice) develop accelerated diabetes that requires CD4(+) T cell help. We previously showed that immune responses against proinsulin are necessary for IGRP(206-214)-specific CD8(+) T cells to expand. In this study, we show that diabetes development is dramatically reduced in NOD8.3 mice crossed to NOD mice tolerant to proinsulin (NOD-PI mice). This indicates that immunity to proinsulin is even required in the great majority of NOD8.3 mice that have a pre-existing repertoire of IGRP(206-214)-specific cells. However, protection from diabetes could be overcome by inducing islet inflammation either by a single dose of streptozotocin or anti-CD40 agonist Ab treatment. This suggests that islet inflammation can substitute for proinsulin-specific CD4(+) T cell help to activate IGRP(206-214)-specific T cells.

Identification of CD4+ T cell-specific epitopes of islet-specific glucose-6-phosphatase catalytic subunit-related protein: a novel beta cell autoantigen in type 1 diabetes.

Islet-specific glucose-6-phosphatase catalytic subunit-related protein (IGRP) has been identified as a novel CD8(+) T cell-specific autoantigen in NOD mice. This study was undertaken to identify MHC class II-specific CD4(+) T cell epitopes of IGRP. Peptides named P1, P2, P3, P4, P5, P6, and P7 were synthesized by aligning the IGRP protein amino acid sequence with peptide-binding motifs of the NOD MHC class II (I-A(g7)) molecule. Peptides P1, P2, P3, and P7 were immunogenic and induced both spontaneous and primed responses. IGRP peptides P1-, P2-, P3-, and P7-induced responses were inhibited by the addition of anti-MHC class II (I-A(g7)) Ab, confirming that the response is indeed I-A(g7) restricted. Experiments using purified CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells from IGRP peptide-primed mice also showed a predominant CD4(+) T cell response with no significant activation of CD8(+) T cells. T cells from P1-, P3-, and P7-primed mice secreted both IFN-gamma and IL-10 cytokines, whereas P2-primed cells secreted only IFN-gamma. Peptides P3 and P7 prevented the development of spontaneous diabetes and delayed adoptive transfer of diabetes. Peptides P1 and P2 delayed the onset of diabetes in both these models. In summary, we have identified two I-A(g7)-restricted CD4(+) T cell epitopes of IGRP that can modulate and prevent the development of diabetes in NOD mice. These results provide the first evidence on the role of IGRP-specific, MHC class II-restricted CD4(+) T cells in disease protection and may help in the development of novel therapies for type 1 diabetes.

The polyamines spermine and spermidine protect proteins from structural and functional damage by AGE precursors: a new role for old molecules?

Due to the importance of glycation in the genesis of diabetic complications, an intense search for synthetic new antiglycation agents is ongoing. However, a somewhat neglected avenue is the search for endogenous compounds that may inhibit the process and be a source of protodrugs. Based on their ubiquity, their polycationic nature, their essential role in growth, their relatively high concentrations in tissues, and their high concentrations in sperm, we hypothesized that polyamines inhibit glycation and that might be one of their so far elusive functions. In this study we demonstrate a potent antiglycation effect of physiological concentrations of the polyamines spermine and spermidine. We employed two approaches: in the first, we monitored structural changes on histones and ubiquitin in which polyamines inhibit glycation-induced dimer and polymer formation. In the second we monitored functional impairment of catalytic activity of antithrombin III and plasminogen. Protection is afforded against glycation by hexoses, trioses and dicarbonyls AGE precursors and is comparable to those of aminoguanidine and carnosine.

Mathematical model of beta-cell glucose metabolism and insulin release. I. Glucokinase as glucosensor hypothesis.

To quantitatively test the theory that glucokinase controls the rate of glucose metabolism and therefore the rate of insulin secretion, a minimal mathematical model of glycolysis in the pancreatic beta-cell was developed. The model represents our current hypothesis of how the normal beta-cell transduces the glucose signal. In this report, the model was used to address questions regarding the control strength of transport, hexokinase, glucose-6-phosphatase, and phosphofructokinase in the metabolism of glucose. The hypothesis that fructose 6-phosphate and a protein regulator modulate glucokinase activity was evaluated by simulation analysis, as was the possibility that glucose-6-phosphatase, working in concert with phosphofructokinase, can modulate the glucose-sensing system. It was found that, in the absence of glucose-6-phosphatase, transport, hexokinase, and phosphofructokinase do not greatly influence the rate of glucose metabolism unless their activities are dramatically altered from the measured values. Glucose metabolism was profoundly affected by the activity of glucokinase. However, in the presence of glucose-6-phosphatase, the ratio of glucose-6-phosphatase to phosphofructokinase activities was a very important parameter, and this potential control mechanism deserves more attention. The results further support the notion that glucokinase is indeed the glucosensor of the beta-cell and that modeling the system in toto provides quantitative evaluation needed to interpret the experimental tests of hypotheses.

Decreased activation of skeletal muscle glycogen synthase by mixed-meal ingestion in NIDDM.

Glycogen synthase (GS) catalyzes the formation of glycogen in human skeletal muscle, the tissue responsible for disposal of a significant portion of an oral carbohydrate load. Non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) is characterized by fasting and postprandial hyperglycemia in conjunction with reduced rates of insulin-stimulated glucose disposal and storage in peripheral tissues, including muscle. Our objectives in this study were to determine whether ingestion of a mixed meal activates GS in control nondiabetic subjects and whether meal-related GS activation is reduced in NIDDM. To accomplish this, mixed formula meals were administered to 11 NIDDM and 9 age- and weight-matched nondiabetic control subjects. Plasma glucose and insulin values were measured before and for 90 min after meal ingestion. Skeletal muscle biopsies were performed just before and 90 min after meal ingestion for measurement of GS activity. Compared with control subjects, NIDDM subjects had significantly higher postprandial hyperglycemia and reduced postprandial hyperinsulinemia. GS was activated by meal ingestion in control subjects to a significantly greater extent than in NIDDM subjects. In NIDDM subjects, activation of GS was inversely correlated with fasting plasma glucose (r = .69, P less than .05). Therefore, NIDDM is characterized by reduced activation of a key step in the process of muscle glycogen repletion after a meal. Reduced activation of GS by a mixed meal in NIDDM may contribute to the reduced glucose disposal after a meal, thus contributing to the hyperglycemia observed in these subjects.