In silico identification and verification of ferroptosis-related genes in type 2 diabetic islets.

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a major global public health burden, with ß-cell dysfunction a key component in its pathogenesis. However, the exact pathogenesis of ß-cell dysfunction in T2D is yet to be fully elucidated. Ferroptosis, a recently discovered regulated form of non-apoptotic cell death, plays a vital role in the development of diabetes and its complications. The current study aimed to identify the key molecules involved in ß-cell ferroptosis3 in patients with T2D using the mRNA expression profile data of GSE25724 by bioinformatic approaches. The differentially expressed mRNAs (DE-mRNAs) in human islets of patients with T2D were screened using the islet mRNA expression profiling data from the Gene Expression Omnibus and their intersection with ferroptosis genes was then obtained. Ferroptosis-related DE-mRNA functional and pathway enrichment analysis in T2D islet were performed. Using a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network constructed from the STRING database, Cytoscape software identified ferroptosis-related hub genes in the T2D islet with a Degree algorithm. We constructed a miRNA-hub gene network using the miRWalk database. We generated a rat model of T2D to assess the expression of hub genes. A total of 1,316 DE-mRNAs were identified in the islet of patients between T2D and non-T2D (NT2D), including 221 and 1,095 up- and down-regulated genes. Gene set enrichment analysis revealed that the ferroptosis-related gene set was significantly different in islets between T2D and NT2D at an overall level. A total of 33 ferroptosis-related DE-mRNAs were identified, most of which were significantly enriched in pathways including ferroptosis. The established PPI network with ferroptosis-related DE-mRNAs identified five hub genes (JUN, NFE2L2, ATG5, KRAS, and HSPA5), and the area under the ROC curve of these five hub genes was 0.929 in the Logistic regression model. We constructed a regulatory network of hub genes and miRNAs, and the results showed that suggesting that hsa-miR-6855-5p, hsa-miR-9985, and hsa-miR-584-5p could regulate most hub genes. In rat model of T2D, the protein expression levels of JUN and NFE2L2 in pancreatic tissues were upregulated and downregulated, respectively. These results contribute to further elucidation of ferroptosis-related molecular mechanisms in the pathogenesis of ß-cell dysfunction of T2D.

Expression, Prognosis and Gene Regulation Network of NFAT Transcription Factors in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. The nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) family is implicated in tumorigenesis and progression in various types of cancer. However, little is known about their expression patterns, distinct prognostic values, and potential regulatory networks in NSCLC. In this study, we comprehensively analyzed the distinct expression and prognostic value of NFATs in NSCLC through various large databases, including the Oncomine, UCSC Xena Browser, UALCAN databases, Kaplan-Meier Plotter, cBioPortal, and Enrichr. In lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) and lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC), NFAT1/2/4/5 mRNA expression levels were significantly decreased and NFAT3 mRNA expression level was significantly increased. The cBioPortal database analysis showed that the mRNA dysregulation was one of the single most important factors for NFAT alteration in LUAD and LUSC and that both LUAD and LUSC cases with the alterations in the mRNA expression of NFATs had significantly better overall survival (OS). High expression levels of NFAT1/2/4/5 were significantly associated with better OS in LUAD, whereas high NFAT3 expression led to a worse OS. Overexpression of NFAT1/2 predicted better OS in LUSC, whereas high NFAT5 expression led to a worse OS. The networks for NFATs and the 50 most frequently altered neighbor genes in LUAD and LUSC were also constructed. NFATs and genes significantly associated with NFAT mRNA expression in LUAD and LUSC were significantly enriched in the cGMP-dependent protein kinase and Wnt signaling pathways. These results showed that the NFAT family members displayed varying degrees of abnormal expressions, suggesting that NFATs may be therapeutic targets for patients with NSCLC. Aberrant expression of NFATs was found to be associated with OS in the patients with NSCLC; among NFATs, NFAT3/4 may be new biomarkers for the prognosis of LUAD. However, further studies are required to validate our findings.

In silico Identification of 10 Hub Genes and an miRNA-mRNA Regulatory Network in Acute Kawasaki Disease.

Kawasaki disease (KD) causes acute systemic vasculitis and has unknown etiology. Since the acute stage of KD is the most relevant, the aim of the present study was to identify hub genes in acute KD by bioinformatics analysis. We also aimed at constructing microRNA (miRNA)-messenger RNA (mRNA) regulatory networks associated with acute KD based on previously identified differentially expressed miRNAs (DE-miRNAs). DE-mRNAs in acute KD patients were screened using the mRNA expression profile data of GSE18606 from the Gene Expression Omnibus. The functional and pathway enrichment analysis of DE-mRNAs were performed with the DAVID database. Target genes of DE-miRNAs were predicted using the miRWalk database and their intersection with DE-mRNAs was obtained. From a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network established by the STRING database, Cytoscape software identified hub genes with the two topological analysis methods maximal clique centrality and Degree algorithm to construct a miRNA-hub gene network. A total of 1,063 DE-mRNAs were identified between acute KD and healthy individuals, 472 upregulated and 591 downregulated. The constructed PPI network with these DE-mRNAs identified 38 hub genes mostly enriched in pathways related to systemic lupus erythematosus, alcoholism, viral carcinogenesis, osteoclast differentiation, adipocytokine signaling pathway and tumor necrosis factor signaling pathway. Target genes were predicted for the up-regulated and down-regulated DE-miRNAs, 10,203, and 5,310, respectively. Subsequently, 355, and 130 overlapping target DE-mRNAs were obtained for upregulated and downregulated DE-miRNAs, respectively. PPI networks with these target DE-mRNAs produced 15 hub genes, six down-regulated and nine upregulated hub genes. Among these, ten genes (ATM, MDC1, CD59, CD177, TRPM2, FCAR, TSPAN14, LILRB2, SIRPA, and STAT3) were identified as hub genes in the PPI network of DE-mRNAs. Finally, we constructed the regulatory network of DE-miRNAs and hub genes, which suggested potential modulation of most hub genes by hsa-miR-4443 and hsa-miR-6510-5p. SP1 was predicted to potentially regulate most of DE-miRNAs. In conclusion, several hub genes are associated with acute KD. An miRNA-mRNA regulatory network potentially relevant for acute KD pathogenesis provides new insights into the underlying molecular mechanisms of acute KD. The latter may contribute to the diagnosis and treatment of acute KD.

3-Deoxyglucosone reduces glucagon-like peptide-1 secretion at low glucose levels through down-regulation of SGLT1 expression in STC-1 cells.

CONTEXT: Sodium glucose co-transporter 1 (SGLT1) triggers low glucose-induced glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) secretion. We reported that a two-week administration of 3-deoxyglucosone (3DG), an independent factor associated with the development of pre-diabetes, reduces basal GLP-1 secretion in rats. OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the effects of 3DG on GLP-1 secretion and SGLT1 pathway under low-glucose conditions in STC-1 cells. METHODS: STC-1 cells were incubated with phloridzin or 3DG at 5.6 mM glucose. SGLT1 expression (by western blotting), GLP-1 and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) levels (by ELISA), and intracellular Ca2+ concentration (by Fluo-3/AM) were measured. RESULTS: Phloridzin inhibited GLP-1 secretion. SGLT1 protein expression in STC-1 cells cultured in 5.6 mM glucose is higher than that in 25 mM glucose. Exposure to 3DG for 6 h reduced GLP-1 secretion, SGLT1 protein expression, and intracellular concentrations of cAMP and Ca2+. CONCLUSIONS: 3DG reduces low glucose-induced GLP-1 secretion in part through reduction of SGLT1 expression.

Alteration of Intestinal Microbiota in 3-Deoxyglucosone-Induced Prediabetic Rats.

Our previous research suggests that 3-deoxyglucosone (3DG), formed in the caramelization course and Maillard reactions in food, is an independent factor for the development of prediabetes. Since the relationship between type 2 diabetes (T2D) and intestinal microbiota is moving from correlation to causality, we investigated the alterations in the composition and function of the intestinal microbiota in 3DG-induced prediabetic rats. Rats were given 50 mg/kg 3DG by intragastric administration for two weeks. Microbial profiling in faeces samples was determined through the 16S rRNA gene sequence. The glucagon-like peptide 2 (GLP-2) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) levels in plasma and intestinal tissues were measured by ELISA and Limulus test, respectively. 3DG treatment did not significantly change the richness and evenness but affected the composition of intestinal microbiota. At the phylum level, 3DG treatment increased the abundance of nondominant bacteria Proteobacteria but did not cause the change of the dominant bacteria. Meanwhile, the abundance of the Prevotellaceae family and Parasutterela genus and the Alcaligencaeae family and Burkholderiales order and its attachment to the Betaproteobacteria class were overrepresented in the 3DG group. The bacteria of Candidatus Soleaferrea genus, Gelria genus, and Thermoanaerobacteraceae family and its attachment to Thermoanaerobacterales order were apparently more abundant in the control group. In addition, 45 KEGG pathways were altered after two-week intragastric administration of 3DG. Among these KEGG pathways, 13 KEGG pathways were involved in host metabolic function related to amino acid metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism, metabolism of cofactors and vitamins, and metabolism of terpenoids and polyketides. Moreover, the increased LPS levels and the decreased GLP-2 concentration in plasma and intestinal tissues were observed in 3DG-treated rats, together with the impaired fasting glucose and oral glucose tolerance. The alterations in composition and function of the intestinal microbiota were observed in 3DG-treated rats, which provides a possible mechanism linking exogenous 3DG intake to the development of prediabetes.

Yupingfeng Granule Improves Th2-Biased Immune State in Microenvironment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma through TSLP-DC-OX40L Pathway.

The tumor immunological microenvironment in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the T-helper (Th) 2 dominant inhibition state. Improving the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment represents an important strategy for HCC treatment. TSLP-OX40L pathway is a target to improve Th2 immunosuppression. Yupingfeng granule (YPF) is clinically used to effectively improve the immune status of HCC. In this study, YPF increased the percentage of mature dendritic cells (DCs) and decreased levels of TSLP, TSLPR, and OX40L in tumor and adjacent tissues of the orthotopic-HCC mice model. This occurs together with the decreased levels of Th2 cytokines and increased levels of Th1 cytokines and Th1/Th2 ratio. In vitro experiment showed that YPF not only increased the percentage of mature DCs and stimulated IL-12 secretion in DCs but also reduced the positive rate of OX40L expression, decreased the proportion of CD4+ IL-13+ T cells, increased levels of Th1 cytokines, and decreased levels of Th2 cytokines from TSLP-treated DCs. In summary, these findings demonstrated that YPF promoted the maturation of DCs, decreased OX40L in TSLP-induced DCs, and improved the immunosuppressive state of Th2 in HCC microenvironment. Our results suggest that the mechanism underlying the improving effect of YPF on the immunosuppression is related to the DC-mediated TSLP-OX40L pathway.

The effects of different concentrations of glucose on glucose sensors and GLP-1 secretion in the enteroendocrine cell line STC-1.

Glucose triggers glucagon-like peptide (GLP)-1 secretion from L cells involving several glucose sensors including sodium-glucose transporter (SGLT)1, glucose transporter (GLUT)2, and sweet taste receptors (STRs). This study investigated the effects of different glucose concentrations on GLP-1 secretion, intracellular concentrations of Ca2+ and cAMP, glucose uptake, and protein levels of SGLT1, GLUT2, and STRs in STC-1 cells. Low glucose (5.6 mM) increased GLP-1 secretion, intracellular Ca2+ concentration, and SGLT1 protein level compared with glucose-free group. GLP-1 secretion and intracellular Ca2+ concentration triggered by low glucose were inhibited by the SGLT1 inhibitor. GLP-1 secretion or intracellular Ca2+ concentration in high-glucose (25, 100, 200 mM) groups was significantly higher than that of low-glucose group. Elevation of cAMP level was observed in concentration-dependent manner, and decreased glucose uptake was observed in 100 or 200 mM glucose group. High glucose increased protein levels of STRs and GLUT2 in comparison to low-glucose group. GLP-1 secretion and intracellular levels of Ca2+ and cAMP triggered by high glucose were inhibited in the presence of the GLUT2 or STR inhibitor. These results suggest that SGLT1 is dominantly responsible for GLP-1 secretion triggered by low glucose, and that STRs and GLUT2 are involved in GLP-1 secretion induced by high glucose.

Identification of potential hub genes related to the progression and prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma through integrated bioinformatics analysis.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fourth leading cause of cancer­related deaths among cancer patients. Genes correlated with the progression and prognosis of HCC are critically needed to be identified. In the present study, 3 Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets (GSE46408, GSE65372 and GSE84402) were used to analyze the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between HCC and non­tumor liver tissues. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses were conducted to clarify the functional roles of DEGs. A protein­protein interaction network was established to screen the hub genes associated with HCC. The prognostic values of hub genes in HCC patients were analyzed using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. The expression levels of hub genes were validated based on ONCOMINE, TCGA and Human Protein Atlas (HPA) databases. Notably, 56 upregulated and 33 downregulated DEGs were markedly enriched under various GO terms and four KEGG terms. Among these DEGs, 10 hub genes with high connectivity degree were identified, including cyclin B1, cyclin A2, cyclin B2, condensin complex subunit 3, PDZ binding kinase, nucleolar and spindle­associated protein 1, aurora kinase A, ZW10 interacting kinetochore protein, protein regulator of cytokinesis 1 and kinesin family member 4A. The upregulated expression levels of these hub genes in HCC tissues were further confirmed by ONCOMINE, TCGA, and HPA databases. Additionally, the increased mRNA expression of each hub gene was related to the unfavorable disease­free survival and overall survival of HCC patients. The present study identified ten genes associated with HCC, which may help to provide candidate targets for the diagnosis and treatment of HCC.

Yu Ping Feng San Exert Anti-Angiogenesis Effects through the Inhibition of TSLP-STAT3 Signaling Pathways in Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Clinically, Yu ping feng san (YPFS) has been extensively used as a medication for treating immune deficiency, and YPFS is combined with chemotherapy drugs to treat cancer, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), lung cancer, and pancreatic cancer. Previous research has shown that YPFS has a therapeutic effect on HCC by improving the immunosuppressive state of the liver cancer microenvironment. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of YPFS on angiogenesis of HCC. METHODS: High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to certify the composition of YPFS. An orthotopic transplanted model of murine HCC was entrenched. Immunohistochemistry was used to observe the changes of the microvessel density (MVD). The MTT assay was used to detect the cell viability. ELISA was performed to analyze the expression of related factors. Western blot was used to analyze the protein expression. Tube formation assay was used to analyze the anti-angiogenic efficiency. RESULTS: YPFS significantly reduced the tumor volume and weight, thus exerted the growth inhibitory effect. The level of MVD and VEGF was obviously decreased in YPFS-treated HCC-bearing mice, and the YPFS treatment also reduced the VEGF level in Hepa1-6 cells. Further study revealed that the expression of TSLP/TSLPR and p-STAT3/STAT3 was decreased by YPFS. The level of MVD and VEGF and the expression of TSLP/TSLPR and p-STAT3/STAT3 in tumor tissue and Hepa1-6 cells were suppressed by incubation with the anti-TSLP antibody, whereas treatment with the anti-TSLP antibody in YPFS-treated cells did not cause further significant inhibition compared with the cells treated only with YPFS. More importantly, YPFS inhibited proliferation, expression of p-STAT3/STAT3, and tube formation of HUVECs induced by TSLP. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicated that YPFS attenuated the activation of the TSLP-STAT3 signaling pathway by inhibiting the immune-related factor-TSLP, thereby inhibiting the formation of hepatic microvessels and exerting an anti-HCC effect.

3-Deoxyglucosone Induces Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Secretion from STC-1 Cells via Upregulating Sweet Taste Receptor Expression under Basal Conditions.

3-Deoxyglucosone (3DG) is derived from D-glucose during food processing and storage and under physiological conditions. We reported that glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) secretion in response to an oral glucose load in vivo and high-glucose stimulation in vitro was decreased by acute 3DG administration. In this study, we determined the acute effect of 3DG on GLP-1 secretion under basal conditions and investigated the possible mechanisms. Normal fasting rats were given a single acute intragastric administration of 50 mg/kg 3DG. Plasma basal GLP-1 levels and duodenum 3DG content and sweet taste receptor expression were measured. STC-1 cells were acutely exposed to 3DG (80, 300, and 1000 ng/ml) for 1 h under basal conditions (5.6 mM glucose), and GLP-1 secretion, intracellular concentrations of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and Ca2+, and molecular expression of STR signaling pathway were measured. Under the fasted state, plasma GLP-1 levels, duodenum 3DG content, and duodenum STR expression were elevated in 3DG-treated rats. GLP-1 secretion was increased in 3DG-treated cells under either 5.6 mM glucose or glucose-free conditions. 3DG-induced acute GLP-1 secretion from STC-1 cells under 5.6 mM glucose was inhibited in the presence of the STR inhibitor lactisole, which was consistent with the observation under glucose-free conditions. Moreover, acute exposure to 3DG increased the protein expression of TAS1R2 and TAS1R3 under either 5.6 mM glucose or glucose-free conditions, with affecting other components of STR signaling pathway, including the upregulation of transient receptor potential channel type M5 TRPM5 and the increment of intracellular Ca2+ concentration. In summary, the glucose-free condition was used to first demonstrate the involvement of STR in 3DG-induced acute GLP-1 secretion. These results first showed that acute 3DG administration induces basal GLP-1 secretion in part through upregulation of STR expression.

3-Deoxyglucosone interferes with insulin signaling and attenuates insulin action on glucose-induced GLP-1 secretion in the enteroendocrine L cell line STC-1.

Maintenance of glucose homeostasis is reciprocally regulated by insulin and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). We previously reported that GLP-1 secretion in response to an oral glucose load was impaired following an administration of 3-deoxyglucosone (3DG), an independent factor associated with the development of pre-diabetes. Here we investigated the effects of 3DG on insulin signaling and insulin-induced GLP-1 secretion under high-glucose conditions in the enteroendocrine L cell line STC-1. STC-1 cells were exposed to 3DG (80, 300, and 1000 ng/ml) in the presence of 10-7 M insulin and 25 mM glucose. GLP-1 secretion was determined by ELISA, glucose uptake was monitored with 2-NBDG (2-(N(7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-4-yl) amino)-2-deoxyglucose), glucose consumption was detected by glucoseoxidase, and protein expression of insulin signaling molecules was examined by western blot. Results showed a decrease in insulin-induced GLP-1 secretion and insulin receptor phosphorylation after 3DG treatment. Concomitantly, 3DG treatment inhibited insulin-induced phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) pathway activation. In the presence, but not absence, of insulin, 3DG treatment decreased insulin-stimulated glucose consumption. Inhibition of PI3K with Wortmannin attenuated insulin-induced increment in glucose transporter 2 (GLUT2) expression and 2-NBDG uptake. Accordingly, insulin-induced increase in GLUT2 expression and 2-NBGD uptake was significantly inhibited by 3DG treatment. 3DG-mediated reduction in GLUT2 expression contributes to the attenuation of insulin-induced GLP-1 secretion under high-glucose conditions in part through the insulin-PI3K/Akt/GLUT2 pathway in STC-1 cells. We conclude that 3DG interferes with insulin signaling and attenuates insulin action on glucose-induced GLP-1 secretion in STC-1 cells.

Acute exposure to 3­deoxyglucosone at high glucose levels impairs insulin secretion from ß­cells by downregulating the sweet taste receptor signaling pathway.

Sweet taste receptors (STRs) expressed on ß­cells stimulate insulin secretion in response to an increase in the circulating level of glucose, maintaining glucose homeostasis. 3­Deoxyglucosone (3DG), a highly reactive α­dicarbonyl compound, has been previously described as an independent factor associate with the development of prediabetes. In our previous study, pathological plasma levels of 3DG were induced in normal rats with a single intravenous injection of 50 mg/kg 3DG, and an acute rise in circulating 3DG induced glucose intolerance by impairing the function of pancreatic ß­cells. The present study aimed to investigate whether the deleterious effects of pathological plasma levels of 3DG on ß­cell function and insulin secretion were associated with STRs. INS­1 cells, an in vitro model to study rat ß­cells, were treated with various concentrations of 3DG (1.85, 30.84 and 61.68 mM) or lactisole (5 mM). Pancreatic islets were collected from rats 2 h after a single intravenous injection of 50 mg/kg 3DG + 0.5 g/kg glucose. The insulin concentration was measured by ELISA. The protein expression levels of components of the STR signaling pathways were determined by western blot analysis. Treatment with 3DG and 25.5 mM glucose for 1 h significantly reduced insulin secretion by INS­1 cells, which was consistent with the phenotype observed in INS­1 cells treated with the STR inhibitor lactisole. Accordingly, islets isolated from rats treated with 3DG exhibited a significant reduction in insulin secretion following treatment with 25.5 mM glucose. Furthermore, acute exposure of INS­1 cells to 3DG following treatment with 25.5 mM glucose for 1 h significantly reduced the protein expression level of the STR subunit taste 1 receptor member 3 and its downstream factors, transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily M member 5 and glucose transporter 2. Notably, islet tissues collected from rats treated with 3DG exhibited a similar downregulation of these factors. The present results suggested that acute exposure to pathologically relevant levels of 3DG in presence of high physiological levels of glucose decreased insulin secretion from ß­cells by, at least in part, downregulating the STR signaling pathway.

The downregulation of sweet taste receptor signaling in enteroendocrine L-cells mediates 3-deoxyglucosone-induced attenuation of high glucose-stimulated GLP-1 secretion.

CONTEXT: Sweet taste receptors (STRs) involve in regulating the release of glucose-stimulated glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). Our in vivo and in vitro studies found that 3-deoxyglucosone (3DG) inhibited glucose-stimulated GLP-1 secretion. OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the role of STRs in 3DG-induced inhibition of high glucose-stimulated GLP-1 secretion. METHODS: STC-1 cells were incubated with lactisole or 3DG for 1 h under 25 mM glucose conditions. Western blotting was used to study the expression of STRs signaling molecules and ELISA was used to analyse GLP-1 and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) levels. RESULTS: Lactisole inhibited GLP-1 secretion. Exposure to 25 mM glucose increased the expressions of STRs subunits when compared with 5.6 mM glucose. 3DG decreased GLP-1 secretion and STRs subunits expressions, with affecting other components of STRs pathway, including the downregulation of transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily M member 5 (TRPM5) expression and the reduction of intracellular cAMP levels. CONCLUSION: 3DG attenuates high glucose-stimulated GLP-1 secretion by reducing STR subunit expression and downstream signaling components.

Involvement of exogenous 3­deoxyglucosone in ß­cell dysfunction induces impaired glucose regulation.

ß­cell dysfunction is the primary cause of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). 1,2­dicarbonyl compounds, such as 3­deoxyglucosone (3DG) have been reported to increase the risk of T2DM. Abnormal elevation of plasma 3DG may impair ß­cell function and thereby, it is linked to T2DM. Previous findings suggest that exogenous 3DG may serve an important role in the development of pre­diabetes. In the present study, the authors examine whether exogenous 3DG induces impaired glucose regulation in mice by decreasing ß­cell function involving of accumulation of plasma 3DG. At two weeks following administration of 3DG, fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels, oral glucose tolerance (by a glucose meter) and plasma levels of 3DG (by HPLC) and insulin (by radioimmunoassay) were measured. Glucose­stimulated insulin secretion in cultured pancreas islets and INS­1 cells was measured by radioimmunoassay. Western blotting was used to examine the expression of the key molecules of the insulin­PI3K signaling pathway. 3DG treatment increased FBG and fasting blood insulin levels, reduced oral glucose tolerance in conjunction with decreased ∆Ins30­0/∆G30­0. In 3DG­treated mice, an increase in the plasma 3DG level was observed, which was most likely the mechanism for decreased ß­cell function. This idea was further supported by these results that non­cytotoxic 3DG concentration obviously decreased glucose­stimulated insulin secretion in cultured pancreas islets and INS­1 cells exposure to high glucose (25.5 mM). 3DG decreased the expression of GLUT2 and phosphorylation of IRS­1, PI3K­p85 and Akt in high glucose­induced INS­1 cells. To the best of the authors' knowledge, the present study is the first to demonstrate that exogenous 3DG induced normal mice to develop IGR, resulting from ß­cell dysfunction. Exogenous 3DG administration increased plasma 3DG levels, which participates in inducing ß­cell dysfunction, at least in part, through impairing IRS­1/PI3K/GLUT2 signaling.

Acute Reduction of Incretin Effect and Glucose Intolerance in Rats by Single Intragastric Administration of 3-deoxyglucosone.

Secretion of glucagon-like peptide-1 has been suggested to be impaired in T2DM and in conditions associated with hyperglycemia. 3-Deoxyglucosone, a dietary composition, has been suggested as an independent factor for the development of prediabetes. A-pathophysiological very high condition of 3DG concentrations administered i. v. induced acute glucose intolerance in rats. In this study, to examine the acute effects of single intragastric administration of 3DG at dose of potentially single-meal intake on plasma glucose, insulin, glucagon, total GLP-1 and total GIP levels in response to a glucose load, OGTT was performed immediately in normal Kunming mice or Sprague-Dawleys rats after 3DG administration. GLP-1 secretion, intracellular cAMP levels and 2-NBDG uptake were examined in STC-1 cells exposured to 3DG. In rats, 20 mg/kg 3DG i.g. (3DG-20 i.g.) impaired glucose tolerance (P<0.05) with increased AUC (1 070±105.2 vs. 918.0±91.20, P<0.05). The mice treated with 3DG-20 i.g. exhibited a similar effect, independent of the effect of plasma 3DG concentration. 3DG-20 i.g. treatment reduced plasma insulin concentrations with decreased AUC (3 552±300.2 vs. 4 715±420.5, P<0.05) in rats whereas plasma glucagon levels were not significantly different. These changes occurred in conjunction with decreased plasma GLP-1 and GIP levels (P<0.05). Furthermore, non-cytotoxic 3DG concentrations directly reduced GLP-1 secretion in STC-1, at least in part, by decreasing intracellular cAMP level and glucose uptake. We demonstrated for the first time that single intragastric administration of 3DG resulted in acute reduction of incretin effect and glucose intolerance, which was associated with a decrease in the biological function of GLP-1 by decreasing GLP-1 secretion.

Accumulation of intestinal tissue 3-deoxyglucosone attenuated GLP-1 secretion and its insulinotropic effect in rats.

BACKGROUND: Our recent findings support the idea that 3-deoxyglucosone (3DG), a dietary composition, has been suggested as an independent factor for the development of prediabetes. Secretion of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) has been suggested to be impaired in T2DM and in conditions associated with hyperglycemia. Since low oral bioavailability of 3DG has been indicated in a single administration study, in the present study we examined if 3DG is capable of accumulating in intestinal tissue of rats after 2-week administration of 3DG, and the 3DG treatment affects GLP-1 secretion and glucose tolerance. METHODS: Rats were administered by gastric gavage for 2 weeks. We measured 3DG contents of intestinal tissues (by HPLC), plasma levels of total GLP-1 (by ELISA), insulin and glucagon (both by radioimmunoassay) and blood glucose concentrations. The expressions of the sweet receptor subunits (TAS1R2, TAS1R3) and its downstream molecule TRPM5 in duodenum and colon tissues of rats were quantified by WB. We examined GLP-1 secretion in enteroendocrine STC-1 cells exposured to 3DG. RESULTS: 3DG treatment for 2 weeks increased 3DG content of intestinal tissues, fasting blood glucose concentration, and reduced plasma concentrations of GLP-1 and insulin at fasting and 15 and 180 min after the glucose load and oral glucose tolerance in conjunction with increased plasma glucagon concentrations. The expressions of TAS1R2, TAS1R3 and TRPM5 were shown to be reduced whereas 3DG treatment did not affect plasma dipeptidyl peptidase-4 activity, indicating an impaired GLP-1 secretion in 3DG-treated rats. This idea was further supported by the fact that exposure to 3DG directly decrease GLP-1 secretion in STC-1. CONCLUSION: It is the first demonstration that 3DG was capable of accumulating in intestinal tissue and thereby decreased secretion of GLP-1 and insulin in a similar manner. 3DG-treated rats developed impaired glucose regulation (IGR) with obviously pancreatic islet cell dysfunction. It is further concluded that a decrease in the biological function of GLP-1 resulting from the decreased GLP-1 secretion is the most likely mechanism for the impaired insulin secretion, which ultimately promoted the development of IGR. These results will also contribute to a better understanding of the significance for restoring physiological GLP-1 secretion.

3-Deoxyglucosone induces insulin resistance by impairing insulin signaling in HepG2 cells.

3-Deoxyglucosone (3DG), a highly reactive dicarbonyl intermediate generated during glycation, has been confirmed to be markedly elevated in the plasma of patients with diabetes. Our previous study found that there is an association between increasing accumulation of plasma 3DG and impaired glucose regulation in non-diabetic seniors (females, >50 years old; males, >55 years old). It was also found that 3DG led to impaired plasma glucose homeostasis in healthy mice, however, the mechanisms underlying the deleterious effect of 3DG in diabetes remain to be fully elucidated. The present study aimed to investigate the ability of 3DG to cause hepatic insulin resistance in a cell model by assessing glucose uptake and glycogen content. In addition, the molecular signaling events, including the phosphoinositide 3­kinase (PI3K)/AKT/glucose transporter 2 (GLUT2) and PI3K/AKT/glycogen synthase kinase­3 (GSK­3) pathways, which affect hepatic insulin resistance, were further investigated using Western blot analysis. The results showed that 3DG (10­300 ng/ml) had no significant effect on HepG2 cell viability, however, the viability of the HepG2 cells decreased with exposure to concentrations of 500 and 1,000 ng/ml. Treatment with non­cytotoxic 3DG concentrations resulted in decreased uptake of glucose and glycogen content with insulin stimulation, but not under basal conditions. The insulin­induced expression of GLUT2 and p­GSK­3 were eliminated by 3DG (80 and 300 ng/ml), in addition to inhibiting the phosphorylation of downstream effectors of the insulin signaling pathway, including insulin receptor substrate 1, PI3K and AKT. In conclusion, the findings of the present study indicated that the addition of exogenous 3DG directly contributed to the induction of insulin resistance by impairing insulin signaling in the HepG2 cells, which suggested that 3DG may be involved in worsening of the diabetic condition.