Glutamine up-regulates pancreatic sodium-dependent neutral aminoacid transporter-2 and mitigates islets apoptosis in diabetic rats
ZJH Medras, NM El-Sayed, SA Zaitone…�- Pharmacological�…, 2018 - Springer
Pharmacological Reports, 2018•Springer
Background Glutamine aminoacid regulates insulin exocytosis from pancreatic β-cells.
Liraglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogue that has fascinated function in
inhibiting β-cell apoptosis and preserving pancreatic β-cell mass. The present study
investigated the benefit of adding glutamine to a regimen of liraglutide in diabetic rats
focusing on their role in increasing insulin production and upregulation of the expression of
sodium-dependent neutral aminoacid transporter-2 (SNAT2). Methods In the present study�…
Liraglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogue that has fascinated function in
inhibiting β-cell apoptosis and preserving pancreatic β-cell mass. The present study
investigated the benefit of adding glutamine to a regimen of liraglutide in diabetic rats
focusing on their role in increasing insulin production and upregulation of the expression of
sodium-dependent neutral aminoacid transporter-2 (SNAT2). Methods In the present study�…
Background
Glutamine aminoacid regulates insulin exocytosis from pancreatic β-cells. Liraglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogue that has fascinated function in inhibiting β-cell apoptosis and preserving pancreatic β-cell mass. The present study investigated the benefit of adding glutamine to a regimen of liraglutide in diabetic rats focusing on their role in increasing insulin production and upregulation of the expression of sodium-dependent neutral aminoacid transporter-2 (SNAT2).
Methods
In the present study, diabetes mellitus was induced in rats using streptozotocin (STZ, 50 mg/kg, ip). Male rats were allocated into 5 groups, (i) vehicle group, (ii) STZ-diabetic rats, (iii) STZ-diabetic rats treated with liraglutide (150 μg/kg, sc), (iv) STZ-diabetic rats treated with glutamine (po) and (v) STZ-diabetic rats treated with a combination of liraglutide and glutamine for four weeks. After finishing the therapeutic courses, the fasting blood glucose value was determined and rats were sacrificed. Pancreases were used for quantification of mRNA expression for SNAT2. Paraffin fixed samples were used for histologic staining and immunohistochemistry for insulin and apoptosis markers (activated caspase-3, BCL2 and BAX).
Results
Treatment with liraglutide and/or glutamine enhanced insulin production and hence glycemic control in diabetic male rats with favorable effects on apoptosis markers. Treatment with glutamine and its combination with liraglutide significantly increased pancreatic expression of SNAT2 by approximately 30–35 folds.
Conclusion
Addition of glutamine to liraglutide regimen enhances the glycemic control and may have utility in clinical settings.
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