Possibility of ideal blood glucose control by a new oral hypoglycemic agent, N-[(trans-4-isopropylcyclohexyl)-carbonyl]-D-phenylalanine (A-4166), and its stimulatory effect on insulin secretion in animals

N-[(trans-4-isopropylcyclohexyl)-carbonyl]-D-phenylalanine (A-4166) revealed a new mode of hypoglycemic action with a more rapid onset and a shorter duration of action than the sulfonylureas (SUs). Hypoglycemic mechanisms and glycemic control benefits were demonstrated in laboratory animals. The stimulatory effect of A-4166 on insulin release, in fasting dogs with a cannula into the portal vein, was more rapid than that of tolbutamide after oral administration. A-4166 stopped the stimulation of insulin secretion very quickly, whereas tolbutamide maintained an elevation in plasma insulin levels for at least 6 hours. In the case of A-4166, a counter-regulatory glucagon response was observed during recovery from hypoglycemia, but it was significantly inhibited by tolbutamide. Hyperglycemia induced by glucose loading was rapidly inhibited by A-4166 in normal rats, in genetically diabetic KK mice and in STZ-induced non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) rats. Also, repeated administration of A-4166 for 2 weeks enhanced insulin secretion in the same manner as a single administration in normal rats. In conclusion, A-4166 is a new type of oral hypoglycemic agent, having a rapid and short-term insulin secretory effect and no suppressive effect on the hypoglycemia-induced glucagon response. Oral therapy with A-4166 would be beneficial in supplementing endogenous insulin secretion and would exert ideal glycemic control in NIDDM patients.     

长期脂肪含量较高饲料喂养对大鼠胰岛素抵抗的影响

目的探讨脂肪含量较高饲料长期喂养对大鼠胰岛素抵抗的影响。方法大鼠随机分为两组,对照组以普通饲料喂养16 w,高脂组以脂肪热量比38.5%的饲料喂养12 w,再以脂肪热量比51.3%的饲料喂养4 w。实验结束时,测定空腹血糖(FBG)、空腹血浆胰岛素(FINS)并计算胰岛素敏感指数(ISI)和胰岛素抵抗指数(HOMA-IR);另外进行口服葡萄糖耐量试验(OGTT),计算血糖曲线下面积(AUC)。结果两组大鼠能量摄取相似,体重差别不大。高脂组大鼠FINS显著高于对照组(P<0.01),但FBG无显著差别。高脂组大鼠ISI显著下降(P<0.01),HOMA-IR显著上升(P<0.01),血糖AUC显著升高(P<0.01)。结论脂肪含量较高的饲料喂养大鼠16 w后引起了胰岛素抵抗和糖耐量异常。     

The effects of high-fat diet on exercise-induced changes in metabolic parameters in Zucker fa/fa rats

The objectives of this study were to document the effects of moderate aerobic exercise on insulin secretion and other metabolic indices in fa/fa rats and to determine if a high-fat (HF) diet altered these effects. Six-week-old fa/fa and lean Zucker rats were either sedentary or exercised by daily swimming for 4 weeks. Half of the exercised and sedentary rats were fed a diet with 16% fat and 44% carbohydrate, while the control groups were fed a diet with 4.5% fat and 49% carbohydrate. At the end of 4 weeks, caloric intake, weight gain, plasma hormone and nutrient levels, and oral glucose tolerance were measured. The pancreatic islet beta-cell function was assessed by measuring glucose-stimulated insulin secretion, glucose phosphorylating activity, and free fatty acid (FFA) oxidation in cultured islets. In fa/fa rats fed the control diet, exercise reduced weight gain, caloric intake, and fasting plasma triglyceride (TG) concentrations without affecting fasting glucose and insulin concentrations. HF diet blocked the effects of exercise on weight gain and food intake and worsened insulin resistance of fa/fa rats. In vitro, neither exercise nor HF diet alone affected islet beta-cell function. However, in combination, exercise and high dietary fat reduced glucokinase sensitivity to glucose and increased islet cell response to mannoheptulose inhibitory actions. We conclude that beneficial effects of moderate exercise on metabolism are not mediated by effects on pancreatic beta cells. Diets elevated in fat decrease the beneficial effects of exercise on metabolic indices in vivo.     

过氧化物酶体增殖物激活受体-γ激动剂对高脂喂养SD大鼠血清视黄醇结合蛋白4水平的影响

目的 观察高脂喂养及吡咯列酮干预对SD大鼠视黄醇结合蛋白4（RBP4）水平的影响.方法 雄性SD大鼠随机分为3组,分别给予普通饮食（NC组）、高脂（F组）及高脂吡咯列酮（F＋Pio组）干预,第8、12周时行OGTT及胰岛素释放试验（ITT）,评价胰岛功能.检测FPG、血脂、肝功能及血清RBP4水平,并对肝脏、附睾脂肪和肾周脂肪称重,计算肝脏质量/体质量及脂肪质量/体质量.结果 8周后,F组FPG、血脂、胰岛素及OGTT血糖曲线下面积（AUCOGTT）、AUCITT均高于NC组（P＜0.05或P＜0.01）,血清RBP4水平升高（P＜0.01）;12周后,与F组相比,F＋Pio组FPG、胰岛素、TG、TC、AUCOOGTT、AUCITT、肝脏质量/体质量及脂肪质量/体质量和血清RBP4水平降低（P＜0.05或P＜0.01）.结论 PPAR-γ激动剂吡咯列酮能减轻糖脂毒性、改善IR并降低体内RBP4水平.     

Glucose intolerance induced by a high-fat/low-carbohydrate diet in rats effects of nonesterified fatty acids

We examined the time course of effects of a high-fat/low-carbohydrate (HF/LC) diet on the impairment of glucose tolerance in rats, clarified whether insulin secretion and sensitivity were impaired by the HF/LC diet, and investigated the relationship between the increased nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) after HF/LC diet feeding and insulin secretion and sensitivity. We found that glucose tolerance and the postglucose-loading insulin secretion were impaired after 3 and 7 d on the HF/LC diet. The glucose intolerance was accompanied by a rise in the fasting plasma NEFA level. When stimulated with 15 mmol/L of glucose, the insulin secretion was impaired in pancreatic islets from rats fed the HF/LC diet. Rats fed the HF/LC diet showed insulin resistance in vivo. The glucose-stimulated insulin secretion was inhibited in the islets following 24-h culture with palmitic acid. The 24-h infusion of palmitic acid decreased whole-body insulin sensitivity. In summary, at least 3 d on a HF/LC diet is needed to induce glucose intolerance in rats, and the impairment may be induced by decreased insulin secretion and sensitivity, which is related to the increase in the plasma NEFA level.     

The augmenting effect on insulin secretion by oral versus intravenous glucose is exaggerated by high-fat diet in mice

To study whether the incretin effect is involved in adaptively increased insulin secretion in insulin resistance, glucose was infused at a variable rate to match glucose levels after oral glucose (25 mg) in normal anesthetized C57BL/6J female mice or in mice rendered insulin resistant by 8 weeks of high-fat feeding. Insulin response was markedly higher after oral than i.v. glucose in both groups, and this augmentation was even higher in high-fat fed than normal mice. In normal mice, the area under the curve (AUC(insulin)) was augmented from 4.0+/-0.8 to 8.0+/-1.8 nmol/lx60 min by the oral glucose, i.e. by a factor of 2 (P=0.023), whereas in the high-fat fed mice, AUC(insulin) was augmented from 0.70+/-0.4 to 12.4+/-2.5 nmol/lx60 min, i.e. by a factor of 17 (P<0.001). To examine whether the incretin hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is responsible for this difference, the effect of i.v. GLP-1 was compared in normal and high-fat fed mice. The sensitivity to i.v. GLP-1 in stimulating insulin secretion was increased in the high-fat diet fed mice: the lowest effective dose of GLP-1 was 650 pmol/kg in normal mice and 13 pmol/kg in the high-fat diet fed mice. We conclude that 1) the incretin effect contributes by approximately 50% to insulin secretion by the oral glucose in normal mice, 2) this effect is markedly exaggerated in insulin-resistant mice fed a high-fat diet, and 3) this augmented incretin contribution in the high-fat fed mice may partially be explained by GLP-1.     

Effect of fructose feeding on insulin secretion and insulin action in the rat

Insulin secretion and insulin action were studied in rats fed either a diet containing (as percent of calories) 66% fructose, 22% protein, and 12% fat, or standard rat chow (60% vegetable starch, 29% protein, 11% fat) for 7 days. Plasma glucose concentration following either an oral glucose or fructose load ($\text{180 mg}\text{100 g body weight}$) were slightly higher in the fructose-fed rats, and this was associated with a much greater elevation of plasma insulin concentrations. The ability of insulin to stimulate disposal of glucose load was determined during the continuous infusion of epinephrine, propranolol, glucose, and insulin. Under these conditions the steady state plasma insulin levels were the same in the two groups of rats, whereas the steady state plasma glucose levels were almost twice as high in the fructose fed rats. Thus, fructose feeding for 7 days resulted in an increase in the insulin response to an oral carbohydrate challenge, as well as to a loss of normal insulin sensitivity.     

胰腺星状细胞活化在高脂饲养大鼠胰岛纤维化形成中的作用

探讨胰腺星状细胞(PSC)活化在高脂饲养大鼠胰岛纤维化发生中的作用.高脂饲养20周的大鼠葡萄糖输注率(GIR)以及葡萄糖刺激的胰岛素分泌都明显低于对照组(P<0.01);高脂组空腹血糖、胰岛素、游离脂肪酸以及基础胰高血糖素的分泌水平显著高于对照组(P<0.05或P<0.01),高脂组胰岛纤维化,胰岛内星状细胞活化并特异性表达α-平滑肌肌动蛋白(α-SMA),提示PSC活化、增生、迁移可能是胰岛素抵抗大鼠胰岛纤维化发生的关键环节.     

In vivo insulin resistance in individual peripheral tissues of the high fat fed rat: assessment by euglycaemic clamp plus deoxyglucose administration

Summary We have examined peripheral insulin action in conscious rats chronically fed high fat (60% calories as fat) or high carbohydrate (lab chow) diets using the euglycaemic clamp plus 3 H-2-deoxyglucose technique. A response parameter of individual tissue glucose metabolic rate (the glucose metabolic index, based on tissue deoxyglucose phosphorylation) was used to assess diet effects in eight skeletal muscle types, heart, lung and white and brown adipose tissue. Comparing high fat with high carbohydrate fed rats, basal glucose metabolism was only mildly reduced in skeletal muscle (only diaphragm was significant,p<0.05), but was more substantially reduced in other tissues (e.g. white adipose tissue 61% and heart 33%). No evidence of basal hyperinsulinaemia was found. In contrast, widespread insulin resistance was found during the hyperinsulinaemic clamp (150 mU/l) in high fat fed animals; mean whole body net glucose utilization was 34% lower (p<0.01), and the glucose metabolic index was lower in skeletal muscle (14 to 56%,p< 0.05 in 6 out of 8 muscles), white adipose (27%,p<0.05) and brown adipose tissue (76%,p<0.01). The glucose metabolic index was also lower at maximal insulin levels in muscle and fat, suggesting the major effect of a high fat diet was a loss of insulin responsiveness. White adipose tissue differed from muscle in that incremental responses (maximal insulin minus basal) were not reduced by high fat feeding. The heart showed an effect opposite to other tissues, with an increase in insulin-stimulated glucose metabolism in high fat versus chow fed rats. We conclude that high fat feeding, without a major increase in body weight or basal hyperinsulinaemia, causes widespread but varying degrees of in vivo insulin resistance in peripheral tissues, with major effects in principally oxidative skeletal muscle.     

In vivo and in vitro suppression by leptin of glucose-stimulated insulin hypersecretion in high glucose-fed rats

OBJECTIVES: Chronic feeding to rats of high glycaemic index (GI) diets results in the hypersecretion of insulin in response to an i.v. glucose load. The first aim of this study was to see if this exaggerated insulin response was accompanied by a hypersensitivity to glucose stimulation in isolated islets in vitro. The second aim was to see if the adipocyte factor, leptin, was able to alter insulin secretion in this model both in vivo and in vitro. DESIGN AND METHODS: Rats were fed for 6 weeks either a high GI diet in which the carbohydrate component was mostly glucose (GLUC diet) or a low GI diet containing mostly amylose (AMOSE diet). Rats then underwent an i.v. glucose tolerance test (ivGTT) (1g/kg) with and without a prior infusion of leptin (133 microg/kg perh). Islets were then isolated from these rats and basal and glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) measured in both the absence and presence (100ng/ml) of leptin. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Peak insulin response during the ivGTT was 3-fold greater in GLUC rats (P<0.001). Leptin had no effect on AMOSE rat insulin response but lowered the GLUC rat response to AMOSE rat levels. In vitro, basal insulin secretion was 4-fold greater in GLUC rats (P<0.05). At 20mmol/l glucose, there was no further increase in insulin secretion in GLUC rats but a 2-fold increase in AMOSE rats. Leptin had no effect on basal insulin secretion or GSIS in AMOSE rats but reduced basal insulin secretion and GSIS in GLUC rats. These results show insulin hypersecretion in high GI-fed rats may be reduced by leptin.     

Fish oil and argan oil intake differently modulate insulin resistance and glucose intolerance in a rat model of dietary-induced obesity

We investigated the potential metabolic benefits of fish oil (FO) or vegetable argan oil (AO) intake in a dietary model of obesity-linked insulin resistance. Rats were fed a standard chow diet (controls), a high-fat/high-sucrose (HFHS) diet, or an HFHS diet in which 6% of the fat was replaced by either FO or AO feeding, respectively. The HFHS diet increased adipose tissue weight and insulin resistance as revealed by increased fasting glucose and exaggerated glycemic and insulin responses to a glucose tolerance test (intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test). Fish oil feeding prevented fat accretion, reduced fasting glycemia, and normalized glycemic or insulin responses to intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test as compared with HFHS diet. Unlike FO consumption, AO intake failed to prevent obesity, yet restored fasting glycemia back to chow-fed control values. Insulin-induced phosphorylation of Akt and Erk in adipose tissues, skeletal muscles, and liver was greatly attenuated in HFHS rats as compared with chow-fed controls. High-fat/high-sucrose diet-induced insulin resistance was also confirmed in isolated hepatocytes. Fish oil intake prevented insulin resistance by improving or fully restoring insulin signaling responses in all tissues and isolated hepatocytes. Argan oil intake also improved insulin-dependent phosphorylations of Akt and Erk; and in adipose tissue, these responses were increased even beyond values observed in chow-fed controls. Taken together, these results strongly support the beneficial action of FO on diet-induced insulin resistance and glucose intolerance, an effect likely explained by the ability of FO to prevent HFHS-induced adiposity. Our data also show for the first time that AO can improve some of the metabolic and insulin signaling abnormalities associated with HFHS feeding.     

The effect of high-fat and high-fructose diets on glucose tolerance and plasma lipid and leptin levels in rats

Aim: High‐fat and high‐fructose diets are usually used to induce animal model diabetes mellitus. The purposes of this research were to compare the abnormalities of glucose metabolism caused by high‐fructose diet and a high‐fat diet and the effects of the high‐fructose diet and high‐fat diet on plasma leptin. Methods: In this research, 24 Sprague–Dawley rats were used as the experimental animals, which were divided into three groups: chow diet (control group), high‐fructose diet (60% fructose w/w) and high‐fat diet (20% lard w/w). They were fed for a period of 8 weeks, during which an oral glucose tolerance test was conducted in the seventh week, and after completion of the eighth week, the abdominal adipose tissue and liver of the rats were excised and weighed, and the plasma cholesterol, triglyceride, insulin and leptin concentrations were assayed. Results: The high‐fat diet group presented a fasting blood glucose concentration that was higher than that of the control group. Furthermore, after 2 h of glucose challenge, the rats in the high‐fat and high‐fructose diet groups all presented higher plasma glucose concentrations than did the control group. The high‐fat diet group showed higher body weight, higher relative liver weight, a higher plasma cholesterol concentration and higher amylase activity than did the other groups, whereas the high‐fructose diet group showed higher fasting insulin and triglyceride concentrations. As for adipose tissue, the high‐fat diet group presented an amount that was higher than that of the high‐fructose and control groups, but the plasma leptin concentration of the high‐fructose group was higher than that of the control group. Conclusions: It can be concluded from the above‐mentioned experimental results that a high‐fructose diet can cause hyperinsulinaemia, while a high‐fat diet can result in impaired pancreatic function of insulin secretion and glucose intolerance, indicating that high‐fructose diet and a high‐fat diet may exert divergent effects on glucose metabolism in rats.     

Insulin secretion and biosynthesis in sucrose fed rats

Summary Long term feeding of a sucrose rich diet to rats is accompanied by a decreased glucose assimilation rate, despite high plasma insulin levels. Hyperinsulinism is at least partially based on a relative obesity, with increased amounts of abdominal- and retroperitoneal fat tissue, but unchanged total body weight compared to starch fed controls. The secretory pattern of insulin release was studied following glucose, arginine, fructose and sulfonylurea administration in the isolated perfused pancreas of sucrose and isocaloric starch fed rats. In addition, isolated islets of Langerhans were used to demonstrate the effects of glucose on insulin secretion and the incorporation of H-3 leucine into the proinsulin and insulin fraction of islet proteins. Following 11 mM glucose, the dynamics of insulin release in the isolated perfused pancreas of sucrose fed rats is characterized by a markedly elevated, late plateau-like response, usually seen only at higher glucose concentrations. Hyperinsulinism, as compared to starch fed controls, can also be demonstrated following arginine and the sulfonylurea HB-419, whereas fructose has no effect in the presence of low glucose concentrations. During incubation of the pancreatic islets, the hyperinsulinism in sucrose-, compared to starch fed rats, is more pronounced at 11 mM glucose than at 5.5 mM glucose. The incorporation of H-3 leucine into the proinsulin-insulin fraction of islet proteins in sucrose compared to starch fed rats, however, is significantly greater with glucose 5.5 mM than at high glucose level. In sucrose fed rats, secretion and biosynthesis of insulin thus appear to be elevated but closely linked only at physiological glucose concentration.This work was supported by Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft SFB 87, Endokrinologie, Ulm.     

Differential effect of inbred mouse strain (C57BL/6, DBA/2, 129T2) on insulin secretory function in response to a high fat diet

The increasing production of genetically-modified mouse models has necessitated studies to determine the inherent physiological characteristics of commonly used mouse strains. In this study we examined insulin secretory function in response to an intravenous bolus of glucose or glucose plus arginine in anesthetized C57BL/6, DBA/2 and 129T2 mice fed either a control or high fat diet for 6 weeks. The results show that 129T2 mice had higher fasting plasma glucose levels and lower fasting plasma insulin levels compared with C57BL/6 and DBA/2 mice regardless of diet. Furthermore, 129T2 mice were glucose intolerant and secreted significantly less insulin in response to glucose and glucose plus arginine irrespective of diet compared with the other two strains of mice. DBA/2 mice hypersecreted insulin in response to glucose and glucose plus arginine compared with C57BL/6 and 129T2 mice. Moreover while first phase insulin secretion was appropriately increased in response to the high fat diet in C57BL/6 and 129T2 mice, this was not the case for DBA/2 mice. Mean islet area was decreased in response to a high fat diet in DBA/2 mice, while there was no dietary effect on the other two strains. This study highlights the inherent genetic differences that exist among seemingly normal strains of mice that are commonly used to make transgenic and knockout mice. Understanding these differences will provide researchers with the information to choose the appropriate genetic background on which to express their particular genetic alteration.     

A low glycaemic diet improves oral glucose tolerance but has no effect on β-cell function in C57BL/6J mice

Aim: Clinical studies have suggested a role for dietary glycaemic index (GI) in body weight regulation and diabetes risk. Here, we investigated the long‐term metabolic effects of low and high glycaemic diets using the C57BL/6J mouse model. Methods: Female C57BL/6J mice were fed low or high glycaemic starch in either low‐fat or medium‐fat diets for 22 weeks. Oral and intravenous glucose tolerance tests were performed to investigate the effect of the experimental diets on glucose tolerance and insulin resistance. Results: In this study, a high glycaemic diet resulted in impaired oral glucose tolerance compared to a low glycaemic diet. This effect was more pronounced in the group fed a medium‐fat diet, suggesting that a lower dietary fat content ameliorates the negative effect of a high glycaemic diet. No effect on body weight or body fat content was observed in either a low‐fat diet or a medium‐fat diet. Static incubation of isolated islets did not show any differences in basal (3.3 mM glucose) or glucose‐stimulated (8.6 and 16.7 mM glucose) insulin secretion between mice fed a low or high glycaemic diet. Conclusion: Together, our data suggest that the impaired glucose tolerance seen after a high glycaemic diet is not explained by altered β‐cell function.     

n-3多不饱和脂肪酸对高脂诱导胰岛素抵抗大鼠肝脏和骨骼肌胰岛素受体及葡萄糖转运蛋白4的作用

目的探讨n-3脂肪酸对饱和脂肪酸诱导的大鼠胰岛素抵抗(IR)肝脏和骨骼肌胰岛素受体(InsR)及葡萄糖转运蛋白4(GluT-4)的作用。方法45只雄性Wistar大鼠分为对照组、高脂组和n-3脂肪酸组。各组饲养11周后测定有关指标。结果(1)与对照组比较，高脂组大鼠体内脂肪相对含量、空腹血糖(FBG)、血清胰岛素(Ins)、甘油三酯(TG)、胆固醇(TC)、胰岛素抵抗指数(IRI)、肝脏TC和TG含量、肌肉中TG含量均显著升高；而肌肉组织中TC含量无显著改变，高脂组肝脏和肌肉InsR含量、肌肉Glut-4蛋白的相对含量均明显下降。(2)n-3脂肪酸组体内脂肪相对含量、FBG、Ins、TG、TC、IRI、肝脏TC和TG含量、肌肉组织中TG含量较高脂组均明显降低，肝脏InsR含量和肌肉GluT-4较高脂组明显升高。结论适量n-3脂肪酸代替饱和脂肪酸的一部分热量后，可增加IR大鼠肝脏InsR含量和肌肉GluT-4蛋白表达。     

Insulin determines leptin responses during a glucose challenge in fed and fasted rats

OBJECTIVE: Leptin secretion has been shown to respond acutely to changes in blood glucose and insulin. Nutritional state also has a marked effect on both the level of circulating leptin protein and leptin gene expression. The aim of this study was to assess whether the prior nutritional state altered the leptin secretory response to an acute glucose challenge, and to determine potential mechanisms. DESIGN: Male fed or fasted rats (200-250 g) were administered a single intravenous glucose bolus (1, 4 or 7 g/kg). The serum leptin, glucose, insulin and free fatty acid responses were studied over the following 5 h. The level of leptin gene expression and leptin protein was then determined in the epididymal fat pads, and in fed and fasted untreated rats for basal comparison. RESULTS: Leptin secretion in response to glucose was suppressed in fasted rats following all glucose doses. The total leptin response was correlated with the total insulin response in all conditions (r = 0.85) and with the glucose response in fed rats (r = 0.69). Both leptin gene expression and leptin protein content were lower in basal fasted rats. Leptin gene expression and leptin protein content still remained lower 5 h following a glucose bolus but there was partial reversal of the effects of fasting following the 7 g/kg glucose dose. CONCLUSIONS: Leptin secretion in response to an intravenous glucose bolus was determined by the insulin response and was significantly suppressed in fasted compared to fed rats. In addition to differences in the total insulin response of the animals, lower leptin responses may be facilitated by lower levels of both leptin gene mRNA and pre-existing leptin protein in epididymal adipose tissue of fasted rats.     

Insulin action and determinants of glycaemia in a rat model of Type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus

Summary We aimed to assess prandial responses, basal glucose turnover and insulin action (euglycaemic clamp) in a very low-dose neonatal streptozotocin model of Type 2 (noninsulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus. Male Wistar rats were injected at 2 days of age with 45 mg/kg streptozotocin or vehicle (control). At 8 weeks, the groups were subdivided and fed either a high-fat or high-starch diet for 3 weeks. Both the fat diet and streptozotocin treatments had independent hyperglycaemic effects (streptozotocin/fat 9.3±0.3 mmol/l; streptozotocin/starch 7.5±0.3 mmol/l; control/fat 7.4±0.1 mmol/l; all p<0.01 vs control/starch 6.4±0.1 mmol/l). The fat diet effect was associated with both a reduction in basal glucose clearance (p<0.001) and in basal hepatic glucose output (p<0.05). Streptozotocin increased basal hepatic glucose output. Significantly higher prandial glycaemia in the streptozotocin/starch group occurred despite similar insulin levels and appeared to be related to an impaired early insulin response. Whole-body and tissue-specific insulin sensitivity were significantly depressed in fat-fed animals compared to starch-fed animals, however there were no significant effects of streptozotocin treatment. We conclude that fasting hyperglycaemia associated with abnormalities in both glucose production and clearance can exist in the presence of a basal hepatic glucose output which is reduced compared to control animals. Furthermore, dietary-fat-induced insulin resistance is not exacerbated by the relative insulin deficiency and/or mild hyper glycaemia observed when dietary fat and neonatal streptozotocin-treatments are combined.     

Troglitazone (CS-045) normalizes hypertriglyceridemia and restores the altered patterns of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion in dyslipidemic rats

Rats fed a sucrose-rich diet ([SRD] 63% wt/wt) up to 270 days develop stable hypertriglyceridemia, impaired glucose tolerance, and insulin insensitivity. The aim of the present study is to investigate whether the hypoglycemic agent troglitazone introduced as a pharmacologic intervention could improve and/or reverse the whole-body insulin insensitivity and related abnormalities present after feeding normal rats with a SRD long-term. For this purpose, male Wistar rats were fed a SRD for 210 days. While half of the animals continued with this diet for up to 270 days, troglitazone (0.2 g/dL wt/wt) was added to the SRD of the other half for up to 270 days. Troglitazone markedly reduced in vivo the hepatic triglyceride secretion rate (TGSR) and enhanced its removal from the circulation, leading to a normalization of plasma triglyceride levels. It also normalized the whole-body peripheral insulin resistance, the glucose homeostasis, and the elevated free fatty acids (FFAs) without detectable changes in plasma insulin levels. The clear alteration of the biphasic pattern of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion in the in vitro perfused beta-cell islets of rats fed the SRD long-term (270 days) was also completely normalized when the SRD was supplemented with troglitazone for 2 months. The normalization of the altered patterns of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion, as well as the enhancement of peripheral insulin sensitivity without detectable changes in plasma insulin, might be largely a result of the significant action of troglitazone in the decrease of circulating lipids and enhancement of whole-body glucose metabolism.     

Effect of short-term consumption of a high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet on metabolic control in insulin-deficient diabetic rats

This study examined the effect of changing the proportion of dietary fat on metabolic control in rats rendered mildly diabetic with streptozotocin (STZ). The high-fat (HF) diet contained 66% energy as fat and 12% as carbohydrate while the low-fat (LF) diet contained 12% energy as fat and 66% as carbohydrate. Both diets had a P/S ratio of 1:3. Young male rats weighing 100 g were treated with STZ (60 mg/kg IV) and randomly allocated to either the LF of HF diet. After 2 weeks, the fasting plasma glucose concentrations were significantly higher in the HF-STZ rats than in the LF-STZ rats (13.2 +/- 1.2 mmol/L v 7.1 +/- 0.8 mmol/L, respectively, P less than 0.001). The increase in plasma glucose above the basal level following the intravenous glucose load (0.5 g/kg body wt) was similar in both groups of STZ-treated rats and glucose clearance was similarly impaired. The fall in glucose concentrations in the 30 minutes following the IV insulin (0.5 U Actrapid insulin/kg body wt) was greater in the LF-STZ rats (delta AUC = -1.60 +/- 0.20 mmol/L 0.5h) than in the HF-STZ group (delta AUC = -0.97 +/- 0.20 mmol/L 0.5 h, P less than 0.05) and either of the control groups (delta AUC = -0.94 +/- 0.37, -0.83 +/- 0.09 mmol/L 0.5 h for LF and HF rats, respectively, P less than 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)