Pharmacodynamical effects of orally administered exenatide nanoparticles embedded in gastro-resistant microparticles.

One of the major disadvantages associated with macromolecules therapy is that most of them can only be administered parenterally. Exenatide, an efficient anti-diabetic drug, incretin mimetic, is currently administered subcutaneously (SC) causing compliance issues. Nanoparticles (NPs) are considered a promising solution for oral delivery of this drug. In order to overcome exenatide's inability to cross the enterocytes and to increase its stability in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, we encapsulated exenatide into a nano-in-micro delivery system. This drug delivery system (DDS) improved the relative oral bioavailability of exenatide, in comparison to Byetta® injection SC. In this study, we report about the efficacy of this DDS to improve glycemic parameters in diabetic ob/ob mice. Our results suggested that our DDS successfully lowered blood glucose levels (BGL) raised insulin levels, decreased glycated hemoglobin and maintained the body weight of the mice. These findings validate the efficacy of this DDS in promoting oral delivery of exenatide and will hopefully improve patient compliance and adherence. The potential of this DDS to encapsulate other leading peptides and proteins, such as insulin, was also evaluated in this study. It was found that peptides up to 6 kDa can be efficiently encapsulated, but the in-vivo performance is also dependent on other physicochemical properties.

Suppression of Hepatocellular Carcinoma by Inhibition of Overexpressed Ornithine Aminotransferase.

Hepatocellular carcinoma is the second leading cause of cancer death worldwide. DNA microarray analysis identified the ornithine aminotransferase (OAT) gene as a prominent gene overexpressed in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) from Psammomys obesus. In vitro studies demonstrated inactivation of OAT by gabaculine (1), a neurotoxic natural product, which suppressed in vitro proliferation of two HCC cell lines. Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) secretion, a biomarker for HCC, was suppressed by gabaculine in both cell lines, but not significantly. Because of the active site similarity between GABA aminotransferase (GABA-AT) and OAT, a library of 24 GABA-AT inhibitors was screened to identify a more selective inhibitor of OAT. (1S,3S)-3-Amino-4-(hexafluoropropan-2-ylidene)cyclopentane-1-carboxylic acid (2) was found to be an inactivator of OAT that only weakly inhibits GABA-AT, l-aspartate aminotransferase, and l-alanine aminotransferase. In vitro administration of 2 significantly suppressed AFP secretion in both Hep3B and HepG2 HCC cells; in vivo, 2 significantly suppressed AFP serum levels and tumor growth in HCC-harboring mice, even at 0.1 mg/kg. Overexpression of the OAT gene in HCC and the ability to block the growth of HCC by OAT inhibitors support the role of OAT as a potential therapeutic target to inhibit HCC growth. This is the first demonstration of suppression of HCC by an OAT inactivator.

ß-glycosphingolipids ameliorated non-alcoholic steatohepatitis in the Psammomys obesus model.

Liver steatosis is a common characteristic of obesity and type 2 diabetes, and fatty liver disease is increasingly recognized as a major health burden. Accumulating evidence suggests that ß-glycosphingolipids play an important role in insulin sensitivity and thus could affect hepatic steatosis. To determine the effect associated with ß-glycosphingolipid-mediated amelioration of liver injury, seven groups of Psammomys obesus on a high-energy diet were studied. Animals were treated with daily injections of ß-glucosylceramide, ß-lactosylceramide, or a combination of both. ß-glycosphingolipids ameliorated the hepatic injury manifested by decreased liver enzymes, liver weight, and hepatic fat, and improved liver histology. Administration of both ß-glucosylceramide and ß-lactosylceramide also decreased interferon (IFN)-γ serum levels. These effects were associated with improved serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels. These data suggest that ß-glycosphingolipids ameliorate liver injury in an animal model of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.

AMPK in the small intestine in normal and pathophysiological conditions.

The role of AMPK in regulating energy storage and depletion remains unexplored in the intestine. This study will to define its status, composition, regulation and lipid function, as well as to examine the impact of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes on intestinal AMPK activation, insulin sensitivity, and lipid metabolism. Caco-2/15 cells and Psammomys obesus (P. obesus) animal models were experimented. We showed the predominance of AMPKα1 and the prevalence of α1/ß2/γ1 heterotrimer in Caco-2/15 cells. The activation of AMPK by 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleoside and metformin resulted in increased phospho(p)-ACC. However, the down-regulation of p-AMPK by compound C and high glucose lowered p-ACC without affecting 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase. Administration of metformin to P. obesus with insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes led to 1) an up-regulation of intestinal AMPK signaling pathway typified by ascending p-AMPKα(-Thr172); 2) a reduction in ACC activity; 3) an elevation of carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1; 4) a trend of increase in insulin sensitivity portrayed by augmentation of p-Akt and phospho-glycogen synthetase kinase 3ß; 5) a reduced phosphorylation of p38-MAPK and ERK1/2; and 6) a decrease in diabetic dyslipidemia following lowering of intracellular events that govern lipoprotein assembly. These data suggest that AMPK fulfills key functions in metabolic processes in the small intestine.

Psammomys obesus, a particularly important animal model for the study of the human diabetic nephropathy.

The Psammomys obesus lives in natural desert habitat on low energy (LE) diet, however when maintained in laboratory conditions with high energy (HE) diet it exhibits pathological metabolic changes resembling those of type 2 diabetes. We have evaluated and correlated the histopathology, metabolic and functional renal alterations occurring in the diabetic Psammomys. Renal function determined by measuring glomerular filtration rate (GFR), protein excretion, protein/creatinine ratio and morpho-immunocytochemical evaluations were performed on HE diet diabetic animals and compared to LE diet control animals. The diabetic animals present a 54% increase in GFR after one month of hyperglycemic condition and a decrease of 47% from baseline values after 4 months. Protein excretion in diabetic animals was 5 folds increased after 4 months. Light microscopy showed an increase in glomeruli size in the diabetic Psammomys, and electron microscopy and immunocytochemical quantitative evaluations revealed accumulation of basement membrane material as well as frequent splitting of the glomerular basement membrane. In addition, glycogen-filled Armanni-Ebstein clear cells were found in the distal tubules including the thick ascending limbs of the diabetic animals. These renal complications in the Psammomys, including changes in GFR with massive proteinuria sustained by physiological and histopathological changes, are very similar to the diabetic nephropathy in human. The Psamommys obesus represents therefore a reliable animal model of diabetic nephropathy.

Expression of Sar1b enhances chylomicron assembly and key components of the coat protein complex II system driving vesicle budding.

OBJECTIVE: SAR1b plays a significant role in the assembly, organization, and function of the coat protein complex II, a critical complex for the transport of proteins from the endoplasmic reticulum to the Golgi. Recently, mutations in SARA2 have been associated with lipid absorption disorders. However, functional studies on Sar1b-mediated lipid synthesis pathways and lipoprotein packaging have not been performed. METHODS AND RESULTS: Sar1b was overexpressed in Caco-2/15 cells and resulted in significantly augmented triacylglycerol, cholesteryl ester, and phospholipid esterification and secretion and markedly enhanced chylomicron production. It also stimulated monoacylglycerol acyltransferase/diacylglycerol acyltransferase activity and enhanced apolipoprotein B-48 protein synthesis, as well as elevated microsomal triglyceride transfer protein activity. Along with the enhanced chylomicrons, microsomes were characterized by abundant Sec12, the guanine exchange factor that promotes the localization of Sar1b in the endoplasmic reticulum. Furthermore, coimmunoprecipitation experiments revealed high levels of the complex components Sec23/Sec24 and p125, the Sec23-interacting protein. Finally, a pronounced interaction of Sec23/Sec24 with sterol regulatory element binding protein (SREBP) cleavage-activating protein and SREBP-1c was noted, thereby permitting the transfer of the transcription factor SREBP-1c to the nucleus for the activation of genes involved in lipid metabolism. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that Sar1b expression may promote intestinal lipid transport with the involvement of the coat protein complex II network and the processing of SREBP-1c.

Diabetes blockade of sevoflurane postconditioning is not restored by insulin in the rat heart: phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3- and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-mediated inhibition.

BACKGROUND: The possibility of restoring sevoflurane postconditioning (sevo-postC) cardioprotection in diabetic animals is uncertain. We hypothesized that attenuation of myocardial injury by sevo-postC might be hindered by inhibition of signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) 3-regulated activity of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) in diabetic animals. To determine whether postC cardioprotection can be restored by normoglycemia, we treated rats with insulin. METHODS: Diabetic or nondiabetic rats were randomly subjected to 30-min ischemia/reperfusion, with ischemic postC or sevo-postC, with and without mitochondrial adenosine triphosphate-dependent potassium channel blocker 5-hydroxy decanoate sodium and PI3K antagonist wortmannin. The infarct area, phosphorylated STAT3, and apoptosis were examined. Studies were repeated after insulin treatment. RESULTS: Ischemic postC and sevo-postC significantly reduced infarct size by 50% in the nondiabetic rats (P < 0.002), a phenomenon completely reversed by 5-hydroxy decanoate sodium and wortmannin. Diabetes mellitus blocked the protective effect of postC, and insulin treatment to achieve normoglycemia did not restore cardioprotection. Phosphorylated STAT3 nuclear retention was significantly increased after ischemia-reperfusion and was further enhanced in response to ischemic postC (P < 0.05) but was significantly reduced in diabetic rats (by 43%; P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The effective reduction in infarct size and apoptosis in the nondiabetic rat heart by postC was completely abrogated in diabetic rats. This inhibition is not relieved by insulin-induced normoglycemia. The PI3K pathway and mitochondrial adenosine triphosphate-dependent potassium channel activation are involved in the mechanism of postC. In diabetic rats, STAT3 activation was strongly reduced, as was postC cardioprotection, suggesting that the inability of insulin to restore postC may be attributed to diabetes-induced STAT3-mediated inhibition of PI3K signaling.

Intestinal and hepatic cholesterol carriers in diabetic Psammomys obesus.

Insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes (T2D) are characterized by hyperlipidemia. The aim of the present study was to elucidate whether T2D contributes to abnormal cholesterol (CHOL) homeostasis. Experiments were carried out in the small intestine and liver of Psammomys obesus, a model of nutritionally induced T2D. Our results show that diabetic animals exhibited a lower intestinal CHOL uptake, which was associated with a decrease in 1) the gene and protein expression of Niemann-Pick C1 like 1 that plays a pivotal role in CHOL incorporation in the enterocytes; and 2) mRNA of ATP-binding cassette transporters (ABC)A1 that mediates CHOL efflux from intestinal cells to apolipoprotein A-I and high-density lipoprotein. No changes were observed in the other intestinal transporters scavenger receptor-class B type I (SR-BI) and annexin 2. On the other hand, in diabetic animals, a significant mRNA decrease was noticed in intestinal ABCG5 and ABCG8 responsible for the secretion of absorbed CHOL back into the lumen. Furthermore, jejunal PCSK9 protein was diminished and low-density lipoprotein receptor was raised, along with a significant down-regulation in jejunal 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase in P. obesus with T2D. Finally, among the transcription factors tested, only an increase in liver X receptors alpha and a decrease in peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors delta/beta mRNAs were detected in the intestine. In the liver, there was 1) an augmentation in the protein mass of Niemann-Pick C1 like 1, SR-BI, and annexin 2; 2) an up-regulation of SR-BI mRNA; 3) a fall in ABCG8 protein content as well as in ABCG5 and ABCA1 mRNA; and 4) an augmentation in liver X receptors alpha and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors beta/delta mRNA, together with a drop in sterol regulatory element binding protein-2 protein. Our findings show that the development in P. obesus with T2D modifies the whole intraenterocyte and hepatocyte machinery responsible for CHOL homeostasis.

A high oleic sunflower oil fatty acid esters of plant sterols mixed with dietary diacylglycerol reduces plasma insulin and body fat accumulation in Psammomys obesus.

BACKGROUND: Metabolic syndrome is associated with subsequent development of cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes. It is characterized by reduced response to insulin, central obesity, and dyslipidemia. Intake of plant sterols (PS) has been shown to confer a healthier lipid profile and ameliorate cardiovascular disease risk factors in experimental animals and humans. In this study we used an animal model of type 2 diabetes to assess the effects of a preparation of PS esterified to high oleic sunflower oil fatty acids mixed with dietary diacylglycerol (PS-HOSO) on diabetic related metabolic parameters. Psammomys obesus (P. obesus) were fed high energy (HE) diet supplemented by either PS-HOSO or control oil. Following 4.5 weeks of intervention, animals were divided into fasting and non-fasting modes prior to outcome measurements. Glucose and insulin levels as well as blood lipid profile, body weight, and fat accumulation were evaluated in fasting and non-fasting modes. RESULTS: P. obesus fed with a HE diet displayed a characteristic heterogeneity in their blood glucose and insulin levels with a subset group displaying type 2 diabetes symptoms. PS-HOSO treatment significantly reduced total cholesterol (24%, P < 0.001) and non-HDL cholesterol (34%, P < 0.01) compared to the control diet. Among fasting animals, body weight at end point and epididymal fat-to-liver weight ratio were significantly (P < 0.05 each) reduced (7% and 16%, respectively) compared to controls. Interestingly, fasting blood glucose levels were similar between groups, whereas plasma insulin level at end point was 44% lower in the PS-HOSO group compared to control group (P < 0.0001) CONCLUSION: PS-HOSO supplementation to diabetes-prone gerbils counteracts the increase in body weight and epididymal fat accumulation, and also results in a drop in circulating insulin levels. These effects are pointing out that PS-HOSO may serve as a functional ingredient for metabolic syndrome or diabetic sufferers, which not only influences body weight, but also prevents or reverses insulin resistance and hyperlipidemia.

Increased hepatic lipogenesis in insulin resistance and Type 2 diabetes is associated with AMPK signalling pathway up-regulation in Psammomys obesus.

AMPK (AMP-activated protein kinase) has been suggested to be a central player regulating FA (fatty acid) metabolism through its ability to regulate ACC (acetyl-CoA carboxylase) activity. Nevertheless, its involvement in insulin resistance- and TD2 (Type 2 diabetes)-associated dyslipidaemia remains enigmatic. In the present study, we employed the Psammomys obesus gerbil, a well-established model of insulin resistance and TD2, in order to appreciate the contribution of the AMPK/ACC pathway to the abnormal hepatic lipid synthesis and increased lipid accumulation in the liver. Our investigation provided evidence that the development of insulin resistance/diabetic state in P. obesus is accompanied by (i) body weight gain and hyperlipidaemia; (ii) elevations of hepatic ACC-Ser79 phosphorylation and ACC protein levels; (iii) a rise in the gene expression of cytosolic ACC1 concomitant with invariable mitochondrial ACC2; (iv) an increase in hepatic AMPKalpha-Thr172 phosphorylation and protein expression without any modification in the calculated ratio of phospho-AMPKalpha to total AMPKalpha; (v) a stimulation in ACC activity despite increased AMPKalpha phosphorylation and protein expression; and (vi) a trend of increase in mRNA levels of key lipogenic enzymes [SCD-1 (stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1), mGPAT (mitochondrial isoform of glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase) and FAS (FA synthase)] and transcription factors [SREBP-1 (sterol-regulatory-element-binding protein-1) and ChREBP (carbohydrate responsive element-binding protein)]. Altogether, our findings suggest that up-regulation of the AMPK pathway seems to be a natural response in order to reduce lipid metabolism abnormalities, thus supporting the role of AMPK as a promising target for the treatment of TD2-associated dyslipidaemia.

Prevention of insulin resistance and beta-cell loss by abrogating PKCepsilon-induced serine phosphorylation of muscle IRS-1 in Psammomys obesus.

OBJECTIVE: Psammomys obesus gerbil exhibits PKCepsilon over-expression on high-energy (HE) diet. Muscle insulin receptor (IR) signalling and tyrosine kinase activity are inhibited eliciting insulin resistance. We aimed at preventing diabetes by inhibiting PKCepsilon-induced serine phosphorylation of IRS-1 with novel PKCepsilon abrogating peptides. RESEARCH DESIGN: PKCepsilon abrogating peptides were copied from catalytic domain of PKC molecule (PCT patent IL2006/000755). Psammomys fed a diabetogenic HE diet received i.p. peptides KCe-12 and KCe-16 (18 mg/kg) on days 0, 7 and 14 controls received peptide solvent. RESULTS: Food consumption and animal weight remained unchanged. On day 16, non-fasting blood glucose levels returned to normal (90 +/- 5 versus 347 +/- 16 mg/dL in untreated controls). Hyperinsulinemia fell from 584 +/- 55 to 180 +/- 22 mU/L. Western blot analysis showed that the increased phosphoserine(636, 639) content on IRS-1 in gastrocnemius muscle of diabetic animals was reduced three fold, the PKB/AKT activity increased two fold and muscle GLUT4 tended to increase, compared with controls. Likewise, administration of KCe-12 prior to placing the HE diet prevented the onset of diabetes. KCe-12 treatment did not reduce muscle PKCepsilon level. Damage and loss of insulin in pancreatic beta cells on HE diet were prevented by KCe-12, as shown in micrographs of islet hematoxylin-eosin staining and insulin immunostaining. The preserved secretory function enabled Psammomys to normalize glucose homeostasis. CONCLUSIONS: KCe-16 and KCe-12 peptides derived from PKCepsilon substrate-binding region prevented the nutritional diabetes and protected muscle IRS-1 from PKCepsilon-induced serine phosphorylation, abrogating the insulin-signalling impediment in the Psammomys model of type 2 diabetes. Anti-diabetic peptides may lead to novel modalities preventing human overnutrition-induced insulin resistance and diabetes.

Low-voltage transmission electron microscopy reveals SV40 viral particles within secretory granules in pancreatic cells.

Novel approach in low voltage transmission electron microscopy (TEM) has revealed the presence of SV40 viral like particles in the secretory zymogen granules and in spherical membrane-bound dense bodies of SV40 infected pancreatic cells. The presence of SV40 antigen in these cellular compartments was confirmed by immunocytochemistry of the VP1 antigen. Visualization of the viral particles was only possible by examining ultrathin tissue sections with low-voltage TEM that significantly enhances imaging contrast. Results indicate that following infection of the cell entry and trafficking of the viral particles are present in unique cellular compartments such as ER, dense bodies, and secretory granules.

Pancreatic acinar and islet cell infection by low-dose SV40 administration.

OBJECTIVES: Viral vector uptake into the pancreas is rare. The few viral vectors reported to transduce in vivo pancreatic islets after systemic injection required additional physical measures, such as direct pancreatic injection or hepatic vessel clamping. Because pancreatic islet uptake of the human polyomavirus family member BK virus was previously reported in hamsters after systemic administration, we hypothesized that SV40, a polyomavirus member remarkably similar to BK virus, may also infect the pancreas. METHODS: We injected intravenously a low dose of SV40, unaided by any other physical or chemical means, and evaluated viral uptake by pancreatic islets and pancreatic exocrine tissue via polymerase chain reaction, Western blot, electron microscopy, immunofluorescent microscopy, and protein A-gold immunocytochemistry. RESULTS: Pancreatic uptake of SV40 was comparable to other major organs (ie, liver and spleen). SV40 viral particles were detected in both pancreatic islets and acini. In pancreatic islets, all islet cell types were infected by SV40, albeit the infection rate of glucagon-producing alpha cells surpassed beta- and delta-islet cells. Low-dose SV40 administration was not sufficient to induce heterologous gene expression in the pancreas. CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows that pancreatic islet and acinar cell uptake of SV40 is feasible with a single, low-dose intravenous injection. However, this dose did not result in gene delivery into the murine pancreas.

Type 2 diabetes has minimal effect on osseointegration of titanium implants in Psammomys obesus.

OBJECTIVES: Dental implants are routinely used with high success rates in generally healthy individuals. In contrast, their use in patients with uncontrolled diabetes mellitus (DM) remains controversial as altered bone healing around implants has been reported. The majority of reports addressing the issue of osseointegration of implants in animals were performed in beta-cell cytotoxic-induced Type I diabetes. In this study, we assessed the osseointegration of implants in Gerbil Psammomys obesus, a model of nutritionally induced Type 2 DM. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Titanium implants were inserted into the tibial medullary space of 140 male diabetic and control animals. One, 2, 4, and 8 weeks after implantation the tibias were removed for histomorphometric evaluation, which included trabecular bone volumes (TBV) and osseointegration. RESULTS: Two weeks following implantation, diabetic animals had slightly less mature bone when compared with control animals. This distinction was not present 4 weeks after implantation. Interestingly, no correlation was found between ossetointegration or TBV and glucose and insulin levels. Furthermore, no difference in osseointegration and TBV values was seen between the groups. The heterogeneity of serum glucose and insulin levels in this model and the possible role of insulin in bone metabolism are discussed. CONCLUSIONS: No significant difference in osseointegration and TBV was seen between diabetic and control P. obesus, a model of nutritionally induced Type 2 DM.

Nutritionally induced diabetes in desert rodents as models of type 2 diabetes: Acomys cahirinus (spiny mice) and Psammomys obesus (desert gerbil).

The dietary effects of hyperglycemia increasingly result in type 2 diabetes in humans. Two species, the spiny mice (Acomys cahirinus) and the desert gerbil (Psammomys obesus), which have different metabolic responses to such effects, are discussed. Spiny mice exemplify a pathway that leads to diabetes without marked insulin resistance due to low supply of insulin on abundant nutrition, possibly characteristic of a desert animal. They respond with obesity and glucose intolerance, beta-cell hyperplasia, and hypertrophy on a standard rodent diet supplemented with fat-rich seeds. The accompanying hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia are mild and intermittent but after a few months, the enlarged pancreatic islets suddenly collapse, resulting in loss of insulin and ketosis. Glucose and other secretagogues produce only limited insulin release in vivo and in vitro, pointing to the inherent disability of the beta-cells to respond with proper insulin secretion despite their ample insulin content. On a 50% sucrose diet there is marked lipogenesis with hyperlipidemia without obesity or diabetes, although beta-cell hypertrophy is evident. P.obesus is characterized by muscle insulin resistance and the inability of insulin to activate the insulin signaling on a high-energy (HE) diet. Insulin resistance imposes a vicious cycle of Hyperglycemia and compensatory hyperinsulinemia, leading to beta-cell failure and increased secretion of proinsulin. Ultrastructural studies reveal gradual disappearance of beta-cell glucokinase, GLUT 2 transporter, and insulin, followed by apoptosis of beta-cells. Studies using the non-insulin-resistant HE diet-fed animals maintained as a control group are discussed. The insulin resistance that is evident to date in the normoglycemic state on a low-energy diet indicates sparing of glucose fuel in muscles of a desert-adapted animal for the benefit of glucose obligatory tissues. Also discussed are the effect of Psammomys age on the disabetogenicity of the HE diet; the impaired function of several components of the insulin signal transduction pathway in muscles, which reduces the availability of GLUT4 transporter; the testing of several antidiabetic modalities for the prevention of nutritional diabetes in Psammomys; and various complications related to the diabetic condition.

Pregnancy outcome in the Psammomys obesus gerbil on low- and high-energy diets.

INTRODUCTION: Diabetes mellitus (DM) during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk for poor reproduction and a high rate of congenital malformations. The gerbil Psammomys obesus is a unique model for nutritionally induced Type 2 DM (T2DM) that enabled us to study the outcome of uncontrolled T2DM during pregnancy. METHODS: Female Psammomys on low-energy (LE) or high energy (HE) diet were studied. The blood glucose levels and weights of pregnant animals were determined. The offspring from the different groups were followed-up to weaning. RESULTS: Most of the HE-diet animals were diabetic (77%). There were no differences in the pregnancy rates in animals on both diets (32.7% in HE vs. 38.3% in LE). Pregnancy of the HE-diet group was longer than the LE-diet group (26.7 vs. 26.1 days), and litter average was reduced (2.7 vs. 3.0). At birth, the offspring of the HE-diet dams weighed less (5.2 vs. 7.2 g) and had smaller crown rump length (4.0 vs. 4.6 cm) These offspring also presented a 1-3 days delay in neuro-developmental parameters (first turn over, hair appearance, eye-opening and response to noise). However, from the fourth week of life they became diabetic, and from the third week they weighed more than the LE offspring. CONCLUSION: HE-diet caused diabetes, maternal complications and altered reproduction in Psammomys animals. The offspring of diabetic Psammomys presented birth weight and length changes as well as developmental delay.

Prevention of nutritionally induced diabetes by rosiglitazone in the gerbil Psammomys obesus.

BACKGROUND: Psammomys obesus is a desert gerbil developing hyperglycaemia, hyperinsulinaemia and insulin resistance when placed for 2 weeks on a high-energy (HE) diet. The mechanism underlying the antidiabetic effect of rosiglitazone (RG) treatment (20 mg/kg per day for 2 weeks) was studied. METHODS: The antidiabetogenic effect of RG treatment on serum insulin and metabolic parameters in serum and target tissues of insulin action was investigated in vivo and compared with the pancreatic beta cell protective effects of RG. RESULTS: Almost all RG-treated animals remained normoglycaemic compared to controls, but, at the same time, they were hyperinsulinaemic. RG had no effect on serum free fatty acid and serum and muscle triglyceride concentrations and did not appreciably affect body weight and fat depots. RG prevented a HE diet-induced reduction of GLUT 4 glucose transporter content in epididymal adipose tissue, but not in gastrocnemius muscle. The normoglycaemic effect was not associated with a suppression of liver PEPCK activity. Muscle PKCepsilon expression, known to be elevated in diabetic Psammomys and to inhibit insulin signalling, was only marginally decreased. However, RG treatment prevented the marked decrease in insulin immunostaining as well as the vacuolization of the beta cells and accelerated beta cell proliferation. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that the skeletal muscle is not the primary target of RG action, whereas the preservation of the insulin secretory capacity and the prevention of degenerative beta cell vacuolization in spite of persisting insulin resistance appear to be the basis for the anti-hyperglycaemic effect of RG in Psammomys.

Impact of in vivo glycation of LDL on platelet aggregation and monocyte chemotaxis in diabetic psammomys obesus.

Psammomys obesus (sand rat) is an appropriate model to highlight the development of hyperinsulinemia, insulin resistance, obesity, and diabetes. This animal species, with genetically predetermined diabetes, acquires non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus when exposed to energy-rich diets. In the present study, we explored the possibility that glycation of LDL may occur in diabetes-prone P. obesus and affect platelet and macrophage functions. The glycation of LDL, isolated from diabetic animals, was significantly (P < 0.05) higher (40%) than that of control animals. The incubation of platelets with glycated LDL enhanced the reactivity of platelets by 32-44% depending on the aggregating agents (thrombin, collagen, ADP). Furthermore, LDL derived from diabetic rats were chemotactic for normal monocytes and stimulated the incorporation of [14C]oleate into cellular cholesteryl esters. The enhancement of platelet aggregation and cholesterol esterification in monocytes may contribute toward the accelerated development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in diabetic P. obesus animals. This study also illustrates the relevance of studying atherosclerosis in the P. obesus animal model, as it shows an increased tendency to develop diet-induced diabetes, which is associated with cardiovascular disorders.

Cellular aspects of intestinal lipoprotein assembly in Psammomys obesus: a model of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.

Although postprandial hypertriglyceridemia is a major contributing factor in the development of atherosclerosis, little information is available on the effect of insulin resistance and diabetes on intestinal fat transport. The aim of the present study was to examine intracellular events that govern lipid transport and apolipoprotein (apo) B-48-containing lipoprotein assembly in the small intestine of Psammomys obesus, a model of nutritionally induced insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. Animals with normoglycemia/hyperinsulinemia and hyperglycemia/hyperinsulinemia exhibited high levels of triglycerides (TGs) in the plasma and intestine and postprandial plasma chylomicrons and apo B-48 compared with normoglycemic/normoinsulinemic animals. In vitro studies, using cultured jejunal explants incubated with either [14C]oleic acid or [35S]methionine, revealed their higher efficiency in de novo TG synthesis, apo B-48 biogenesis, and TG-rich lipoprotein assembly. Accordingly, enhanced monoacylglycerol and diacylglycerol acyltransferase activity was also discernible and concomitant with an increased content of L-fatty acid binding protein and in vivo chylomicron production rates. However, both the I-fatty acid binding protein amount and the apo B-48 proteasomal degradative pathway were decreased. Overall, our findings show that the development of an insulin-resistant/diabetic state in Psammomys obesus triggers the whole intra-enterocyte machinery, leading to lipoprotein assembly and favoring the intestinal oversecretion of apo B-48-lipoproteins, which may contribute to characteristic hypertriglyceridemia.