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11:10
Hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic Clamps in Conscious, Unrestrained Mice
Published on: November 16, 2011
Acetaminophen normalizes glucose homeostasis in mouse models for diabetes
Howard G Shertzer1, Scott N Schneider, Eric L Kendig
1Department of Environmental Health and Center for Environmental Genetics, University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA.
Biochemical Pharmacology
|February 2, 2008
Summary
Acetaminophen (APAP), an antioxidant, prevents and reverses key diabetes progression markers in mouse models. This common drug may offer a novel therapeutic strategy for both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Metabolic Diseases
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Pancreatic beta cell dysfunction is central to diabetes pathogenesis.
- Oxidative stress contributes to progressive beta cell loss and impaired insulin secretion.
- Acetaminophen (APAP) possesses antioxidant properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate acetaminophen's potential to prevent or reverse diabetes progression.
- To evaluate APAP's efficacy in established mouse models of type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
Main Methods:
- Type 1 diabetes model induced by streptozotocin in C57BL/6J mice.
- Type 2 diabetes model induced by high-fat diet in mice.
- Administration of acetaminophen (20mg/kg BW daily via gastric gavage).
- Assessment of fasting blood glucose, insulin levels, glucose tolerance, and body fat.
- In vitro studies with isolated liver mitochondria to assess reactive oxygen production.
Main Results:
- Acetaminophen significantly prevented and partially reversed streptozotocin-induced hyperglycemia.
- APAP largely prevented high-fat diet-induced hyperinsulinemia and impaired glucose tolerance.
- Acetaminophen mitigated the increase in body fat in diet-induced obese mice.
- In vitro, APAP abolished reactive oxygen production in liver mitochondria at low concentrations.
Conclusions:
- Acetaminophen administration, at a human-safe dosage, reduced mitochondrial reactive oxygen production in mice.
- APAP demonstrated preventative and partially reversible effects on type 1 and type 2 diabetes development in animal models.
- These findings suggest APAP as a potential therapeutic agent for diabetes intervention.
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