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Stevioside counteracts the alpha-cell hypersecretion caused by long-term palmitate exposure
1Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Aarhus University Hospital, Odense, Denmark.
American Journal of Physiology. Endocrinology and Metabolism
|October 6, 2005
Summary
Long-term exposure to fatty acids like palmitate increases glucagon secretion and triglyceride accumulation in alpha-cells. The antihyperglycemic agent stevioside counteracts these effects, showing potential for type 2 diabetes treatment.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Molecular Biology
- Metabolic Diseases
Background:
- Fatty acids impair beta-cell function in type 2 diabetes.
- Chronic effects of fatty acids on alpha-cells are not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate palmitate's prolonged impact on alpha-cell function and gene expression.
- Determine if stevioside counteracts palmitate-induced effects on alpha-cells.
Main Methods:
- Clonal alpha-TC1-6 cells cultured with palmitate +/- stevioside for 72 hours.
- Assessed glucagon secretion, glucagon content, triglyceride content, and gene expression.
- Analyzed changes in carnitine palmitoyltransferase I (CPT I) and other metabolic genes.
Main Results:
- Palmitate (>=0.25 mM) dose-dependently increased glucagon secretion.
- Palmitate (0.5 mM) increased alpha-cell triglyceride content by 73%.
- Stevioside (10-8 to 10-6 M) reduced palmitate-stimulated glucagon release (22-45%) and modulated gene expression.
Conclusions:
- Elevated fatty acids cause alpha-cell hypersecretion of glucagon and triglyceride accumulation.
- Stevioside counteracts palmitate-induced alpha-cell dysfunction and enhances fatty acid metabolism gene expression.
- Stevioside shows promise as an antidiabetic agent for type 2 diabetes.