scholarly journals Glucocorticoids in Vivo Induce Both Insulin Hypersecretion and Enhanced Glucose Sensitivity of Stimulus-Secretion Coupling in Isolated Rat Islets

Endocrinology ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 151 (1) ◽  
pp. 85-95 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alex Rafacho ◽  
Laura Marroquí ◽  
Sebastião R. Taboga ◽  
Júlia L. F. Abrantes ◽  
Leonardo R. Silveira ◽  
...  

Abstract Although glucocorticoids are widely used as antiinflammatory agents in clinical therapies, they may cause serious side effects that include insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia. To study the potential functional adaptations of the islet of Langerhans to in vivo glucocorticoid treatment, adult Wistar rats received dexamethasone (DEX) for 5 consecutive days, whereas controls (CTL) received only saline. The analysis of insulin release in freshly isolated islets showed an enhanced secretion in response to glucose in DEX-treated rats. The study of Ca2+ signals by fluorescence microscopy also demonstrated a higher response to glucose in islets from DEX-treated animals. However, no differences in Ca2+ signals were found between both groups with tolbutamide or KCl, indicating that the alterations were probably related to metabolism. Thus, mitochondrial function was explored by monitoring oxidation of nicotinamide dinucleotide phosphate autofluorescence and mitochondrial membrane potential. Both parameters revealed a higher response to glucose in islets from DEX-treated rats. The mRNA and protein content of glucose transporter-2, glucokinase, and pyruvate kinase was similar in both groups, indicating that changes in these proteins were probably not involved in the increased mitochondrial function. Additionally, we explored the status of Ca2+-dependent signaling kinases. Unlike calmodulin kinase II, we found an augmented phosphorylation level of protein kinase Cα as well as an increased response of the phospholipase C/inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate pathway in DEX-treated rats. Finally, an increased number of docked secretory granules were observed in the β-cells of DEX animals using transmission electron microscopy. Thus, these results demonstrate that islets from glucocorticoid-treated rats develop several adaptations that lead to an enhanced stimulus-secretion coupling and secretory capacity.

Endocrinology ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 150 (2) ◽  
pp. 570-579 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei Chen ◽  
Salma Begum ◽  
Lynn Opare-Addo ◽  
Justin Garyu ◽  
Thomas F. Gibson ◽  
...  

It is thought that differentiation of β-cell precursors into mature cells is largely autonomous, but under certain conditions differentiation can be modified by external factors. The factors that modify β-cell differentiation have not been identified. In this study, we tested whether adult islet cells can affect the differentiation process in mouse and human pancreatic anlage cells. We assessed β-cell proliferation and differentiation in mouse and human pancreatic anlage cells cocultured with adult islet cells or βTC3 cells using cellular, molecular, and immunohistochemical methods. Differentiation of murine anlage cells into β-cells was induced by mature islet cells. It was specific for β-cells and not a general feature of endodermal derived cells. β-Cell differentiation required cell-cell contact. The induced cells acquired features of mature β-cells including increased expression of β-cell transcription factors and surface expression of receptor for stromal cell-derived factor 1 and glucose transporter-2 (GLUT-2). They secreted insulin in response to glucose and could correct hyperglycemia in vivo when cotransplanted with vascular cells. Human pancreatic anlage cells responded in a similar manner and showed increased expression of pancreatic duodenal homeobox 1 and v-maf musculoaponeurotic fibrosarcoma oncogene homolog A and increased production of proinsulin when cocultured with adult islets. We conclude that mature β-cells can modify the differentiation of precursor cells and suggest a mechanism whereby changes in differentiation of β-cells can be affected by other β-cells. Mature β cells affect differentiation of pancreatic anlage cells into functional β cells. The differentiated cells respond to glucose and ameliorate diabetes.


2006 ◽  
Vol 290 (2) ◽  
pp. G293-G300 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. J. Cottrell ◽  
B. Stoll ◽  
R. K. Buddington ◽  
J. E. Stephens ◽  
L. Cui ◽  
...  

Premature infants receiving chronic total parenteral nutrition (TPN) due to feeding intolerance develop intestinal atrophy and reduced nutrient absorption. Although providing the intestinal trophic hormone glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2) during chronic TPN improves intestinal growth and morphology, it is uncertain whether GLP-2 enhances absorptive function. We placed catheters in the carotid artery, jugular and portal veins, duodenum, and a portal vein flow probe in piglets before providing either enteral formula (ENT), TPN or a coinfusion of TPN plus GLP-2 for 6 days. On postoperative day 7, all piglets were fed enterally and digestive functions were evaluated in vivo using dual infusion of enteral (13C) and intravenous (2H) glucose, in vitro by measuring mucosal lactase activity and rates of apical glucose transport, and by assessing the abundances of sodium glucose transporter-1 (SGLT-1) and glucose transporter-2 (GLUT2). Both ENT and GLP-2 pigs had larger intestine weights, longer villi, and higher lactose digestive capacity and in vivo net glucose and galactose absorption compared with TPN alone. These endpoints were similar in ENT and GLP-2 pigs except for a lower intestinal weight and net glucose absorption in GLP-2 compared with ENT pigs. The enhanced hexose absorption in GLP-2 compared with TPN pigs corresponded with higher lactose digestive and apical glucose transport capacities, increased abundance of SGLT-1, but not GLUT-2, and lower intestinal metabolism of [13C]glucose to [13C]lactate. Our findings indicate that GLP-2 treatment during chronic TPN maintains intestinal structure and lactose digestive and hexose absorptive capacities, reduces intestinal hexose metabolism, and may facilitate the transition to enteral feeding in TPN-fed infants.


2010 ◽  
Vol 206 (2) ◽  
pp. 195-204 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yusuke Taguchi ◽  
Yoshie Tasaki ◽  
Kiyoshi Terakado ◽  
Kenichi Kobayashi ◽  
Takeo Machida ◽  
...  

The growth-retarded (grt) mouse shows thyroid dysfunction-related hyporesponsiveness to TSH. Thyroid hormone is a critical regulator of metabolism in many cells; thus, derangement of thyroid function affects many organs and systems. Experiments were conducted focusing on the function of the pancreatic islets in grt mice. We showed occurrence of a fasting hyperglycemia and a decreased plasma insulin level response to a glucose load in grt mice, despite normal insulin molecules being stored in secretory granules of pancreatic islets. We also demonstrated a reduction of insulin secretion in response to glucose administration from islets of grt mice in vitro, while the insulin release in response to KCl stimulation was comparable to that in normal mice, indicating that the isolated islets from grt mice have normal ATP-sensitive K+ channels and postchannel activity. The mRNA expression levels of glucose transporter 2 and glucokinase in the islets of grt mice were similar to those in normal mice. Triiodothyronine administration to grt mice improved insulin secretion very slightly. On the other hand, mRNA for tyrosylprotein sulfotransferase 2 (Tpst2) was found to be expressed in the pancreatic islets of grt mice. Considering that Tpst2 is the responsible gene of grt mice, mutation of which is associated with a poor function of TSH receptor, the findings raise a possibility of involvement of factors including Tpst2 in the insulin hyposecretion in grt mice.


2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 1934578X1701201 ◽  
Author(s):  
Denys Torres-Villarreal ◽  
Alberto Camacho ◽  
Fermín I. Milagro ◽  
Rocío Ortiz-Lopez ◽  
Ana Laura de la Garza

Flavonoid-rich foods intake has been associated with lower risk of non-communicable chronic diseases. Quercetin is the most abundant flavonoid in nature (fruits, vegetables, leaves and grains) as well as the most consumed flavonol. This study aims to investigate the potential effects of its conjugated form quercetin-3- O-glucoside (or isoquercetin) on glucose metabolism in rats and Caco-2 cells. To analyse the effect of quercetin-3- O-glucoside on postprandial hyperglycemia, an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was conducted in Wistar rats. Additionally, Caco-2 cells were used to determine the effect of quercetin-3- O-glucoside (30 to 60 μM) on mRNA expression of genes involved in glucose uptake by RT-PCR. Thereby, in vivo studies demonstrated that quercetin-3- O-glucoside decreased blood glucose levels evaluated by OGTT in rats. Furthermore, in the presence of Na+, quercetin-3- O-glucoside inhibited methylglucoside (MG) uptake in enterocytes and both sodium dependent glucose transporter-1 (SGLT1)- and glucose transporter-2 (GLUT2)-mediated glucose uptake were downregulated in Caco-2 cells incubated with quercetin-3- O-glucoside. In summary, our results show that quercetin-3- O-glucoside improves postprandial glycemic control in rats and reduces sugar uptake in Caco-2 cells, possible by decreasing the expression of glucose transporters (SGLT1 and GLUT2) according to the results obtained through RT-PCR.


2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (467) ◽  
pp. eaat5933 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudio R. Scafoglio ◽  
Brendon Villegas ◽  
Gihad Abdelhady ◽  
Sean T. Bailey ◽  
Jie Liu ◽  
...  

The diagnostic definition of indeterminate lung nodules as malignant or benign poses a major challenge for clinicians. We discovered a potential marker, the sodium-dependent glucose transporter 2 (SGLT2), whose activity identified metabolically active lung premalignancy and early-stage lung adenocarcinoma (LADC). We found that SGLT2 is expressed early in lung tumorigenesis and is found specifically in premalignant lesions and well-differentiated adenocarcinomas. SGLT2 activity could be detected in vivo by positron emission tomography (PET) with the tracer methyl 4-deoxy-4-[18F] fluoro-alpha-d-glucopyranoside (Me4FDG), which specifically detects SGLT activity. Using a combination of immunohistochemistry and Me4FDG PET, we identified high expression and functional activity of SGLT2 in lung premalignancy and early-stage/low-grade LADC. Furthermore, selective targeting of SGLT2 with FDA-approved small-molecule inhibitors, the gliflozins, greatly reduced tumor growth and prolonged survival in autochthonous mouse models and patient-derived xenografts of LADC. Targeting SGLT2 in lung tumors may intercept lung cancer progression at early stages of development by pairing Me4FDG PET imaging with therapy using SGLT2 inhibitors.


2015 ◽  
Vol 308 (5) ◽  
pp. E370-E379 ◽  
Author(s):  
Noriko Yamabe ◽  
Ki Sung Kang ◽  
Woojung Lee ◽  
Su-Nam Kim ◽  
Bao Ting Zhu

Despite increased total food intake in healthy, late-stage pregnant women, their peak postprandial blood sugar levels are normally much lower than the levels seen in healthy nonpregnant women. In this study, we sought to determine whether estriol (E3), an endogenous estrogen predominantly produced during human pregnancy, contributes to the regulation of the postprandial blood glucose level in healthy normal rats. In vivo studies using rats showed that E3 blunted the speed and magnitude of the blood glucose rise following oral glucose administration, but it did not appear to affect the total amount of glucose absorbed. E3 also did not affect insulin secretion, but it significantly reduced the rate of intestinal glucose transport compared with vehicle-treated animals. Consistent with this finding, expression of the sodium-dependent glucose transporter 1 and 2 was significantly downregulated by E3 treatment in the brush-border membrane and basolateral membrane, respectively, of enterocytes. Most of the observed in vivo effects were noticeably stronger with E3 than with 17β-estradiol. Using differentiated human Caco-2 enterocyte monolayer culture as an in vitro model, we confirmed that E3 at physiologically relevant concentrations could directly inhibit glucose uptake via suppression of glucose transporter 2 expression, whereas 17β-estradiol did not have a similar effect. Collectively, these data showed that E3 can blunt the postprandial glycemic surge in rats through modulating the level of intestinal glucose transporters.


2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ching-Ping Yang ◽  
Ming-Yuh Shiau ◽  
Yi-Ren Lai ◽  
Kuo-Ting Ho ◽  
Chiao-Wan Hsiao ◽  
...  

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), with dysregulated hepatic gluconeogenesis as the major cause of fasting hyperglycemia, is closely associated with chronic inflammation. We previously demonstrated interleukin-4 (IL-4) improves insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance while reducing lipid deposits. The present study examined the in vitro effects of IL-4 on insulin signaling molecules, glucose uptake, and lipid metabolism in hepatocytes, as well as in vivo effects on hepatic adiposity, for elucidating the roles of IL-4 in hepatic energy metabolism. Potential interaction between IL-4 and insulin in regulating hepatic metabolism was also investigated. Our results showed that IL-4 enhanced Akt and GSK-3α/β phosphorylations, which in turn promoted glycogen synthesis. IL-4 not only potentiated basal glucose uptake by upregulating glucose transporter 2 expression but also promoted insulin-induced glucose uptake. Additionally, IL-4 increased triglyceride contents through facilitating free fatty acid uptake and expression/activity of lipogenic enzymes. The major effects of IL-4 on the liver were to promote energy storage by boosting insulin-stimulated glucose uptake and lipid synthesis. This study provides evidence to implicate the novel roles of IL-4 in mediating hepatic glucose and lipid metabolism, interactions between immune responses and metabolic homeostasis, and the involvement of IL-4 in metabolic abnormalities.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Zhe Wang ◽  
Xu-Ling Li ◽  
Kin-Fong Hong ◽  
Ting-Ting Zhao ◽  
Rui-Xue Dong ◽  
...  

Astragalus Radix is one of the common traditional Chinese medicines used to treat diabetes. However, the underlying mechanism is not fully understood. Flavones are a class of active components that have been reported to exert various activities. Existing evidence suggests that flavones from Astragalus Radix may be pivotal in modulating progression of diabetes. In this study, total flavones from Astragalus Radix (TFA) were studied to observe its effects on metabolism of bile acids both in vivo and in vitro. C57BL/6J mice were treated with STZ and high-fat feeding to construct diabetic model, and HepG2 cell line was applied to investigate the influence of TFA on liver cells. We found a serious disturbance of bile acids and lipid metabolism in diabetic mice, and oral administration or cell incubation with TFA significantly reduced the production of total cholesterol (TCHO), total triglyceride, glutamic oxalacetic transaminase (AST), glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (ALT), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C), while it increased the level of high-density lipoprotein (HDL-C). The expression of glucose transporter 2 (GLUT2) and cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase (CYP7A1) was significantly upregulated on TFA treatment, and FXR and TGR5 play pivotal role in modulating bile acid and lipid metabolism. This study supplied a novel understanding towards the mechanism of Astragalus Radix on controlling diabetes.


2004 ◽  
Vol 385 (1) ◽  
pp. 165-171 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandrine COFFY ◽  
Jean-François DECAUX ◽  
Jean GIRARD ◽  
Yves de KEYZER ◽  
Maryam ASFARI

We used mRNA differential display to identify new genes induced early after exposure to insulin. Our screening strategy was based on the comparison of gene expression during the time course of insulin induction in the liver of 12-day-old suckling rats both in vivo and in vitro. A novel, early induced transcript, EIIH, was identified that encodes a 353-amino-acid protein with several features suggesting that it may be secreted or bound to membranes. EIIH is also distantly related to a variety of LRR (leucine-rich repeat) proteins. Insulin treatment increased EIIH mRNA levels in the hepatocytes of suckling, fasted adult and STZ (streptozotocin)-treated diabetic rats, where insulin was required to maintain the basal level of EIIH expression. EIIH expression was induced during the suckling/weaning transition, and remained detectable thereafter. Tissue distribution analysis in adult rats revealed a pattern of expression mainly in the liver, intestine and islets of Langerhans, closely following that of the Glut2 (glucose transporter 2), suggesting that it may play a role in carbohydrate metabolism. EIIH may be a primary target of the transcriptional regulation by insulin, and may therefore constitute a new model to study the mechanisms by which insulin acts on gene transcription.


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