Casein Hydrolysate with Glycemic Control Properties: Evidence from Cells, Animal Models, and Humans.

Evidence exists to support the role of dairy derived proteins whey and casein in glycemic management. The objective of the present study was to use a cell screening method to identify a suitable casein hydrolysate and to examine its ability to impact glycemia related parameters in an animal model and in humans. Following screening for the ability to stimulate insulin secretion in pancreatic beta cells, a casein hydrolysate was selected and further studied in the ob/ob mouse model. An acute postprandial study was performed in 62 overweight and obese adults. Acute and long-term supplementation with the casein hydrolysate in in vivo studies in mice revealed a glucose lowering effect and a lipid reducing effect of the hydrolysate (43% reduction in overall liver fat). The postprandial human study revealed a significant increase in insulin secretion ( p = 0.04) concomitant with a reduction in glucose ( p = 0.03). The area under the curve for the change in glucose decreased from 181.84 ± 14.6 to 153.87 ± 13.02 ( p = 0.009). Overall, the data supports further work on the hydrolysate to develop into a functional food product.

Lactation-induced changes in metabolic status and follicular-fluid metabolomic profile in postpartum dairy cows.

The aim was to investigate the effect of lactation on the composition of pre-ovulatory follicular fluid (FF). Forty in-calf primiparous heifers and 20 maiden heifers were enrolled. Immediately after calving, half of the cows were dried off while the remainder were milked twice daily. Serum samples were collected twice weekly from two weeks pre- to 84 days postpartum (dpp). FF was analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Serum concentrations of non-esterified fatty acids and ß-hydroxybutyrate were higher, while glucose, insulin and Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) concentrations were lower in lactating cows compared with non-lactating cows and heifers (P<0.01). Principal component analysis of FF metabolites revealed a clear separation of the lactating group from both non-lactating cows and heifers. The amino acids tyrosine, phenylalanine and valine and fatty acids heneicosanoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid were all lower in FF from lactating compared with dry cows (P<0.05). FF from lactating cows was higher in aminoadipic acid, α-aminobutyric acid, glycine and serine while histidine, leucine, lysine, methionine and ornithine were all lower than in dry cows and heifers (P<0.05). The ratio of n6:n3 was higher in lactating cows compared with both non-lactating cows and heifers, whereas total n3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, pentadecanoic, linolenic, elaidic and arachidonic acids were all lower in the FF of lactating cows than both non-lactating cows and heifers (P<0.05). In conclusion, lactation induces distinct changes in the overall metabolic status of postpartum lactating dairy cows which are associated with divergent metabolite profiles in FF.

Metabolomic analysis of pancreatic beta cells following exposure to high glucose.

BACKGROUND: Chronic exposure to hyperglycaemic conditions has been shown to have detrimental effects on beta cell function. The resulting glucotoxicity is a contributing factor to the development of type 2 diabetes. The objective of this study was to combine a metabolomics approach with functional assays to gain insight into the mechanism by which glucotoxicity exerts its effects. METHODS: The BRIN-BD11 and INS-1E beta cell lines were cultured in 25 mM glucose for 20 h to mimic glucotoxic effects. PDK-2 protein expression, intracellular glutathione levels and the change in mitochondrial membrane potential and intracellular calcium following glucose stimulation were determined. Metabolomic analysis of beta cell metabolite extracts was performed using GC-MS, 1H NMR and 13C NMR. RESULTS: Conditions to mimic glucotoxicity were established and resulted in no loss of cellular viability in either cell line while causing a decrease in insulin secretion. Metabolomic analysis of beta cells following exposure to high glucose revealed a change in amino acids, an increase in glucose and a decrease in phospho-choline, n-3 and n-6 PUFAs during glucose stimulated insulin secretion relative to cells cultured under control conditions. However, no changes in calcium handling or mitochondrial membrane potential were evident. CONCLUSIONS: Results indicate that a decrease in TCA cycle metabolism in combination with an alteration in fatty acid composition and phosphocholine levels may play a role in glucotoxicity induced impairment of glucose stimulated insulin secretion. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE: Alterations in certain metabolic pathways play a role in glucotoxicity in the pancreatic beta cell.