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Updated: May 11, 2026
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Assessing Insulin Clearance in Mice via In Situ Liver Perfusion
Published on: December 13, 2024
Enhanced insulin clearance in mice lacking TRPM8 channels
Daniel D McCoy1, Ligang Zhou, Anh-Khoi Nguyen
1Neurobiology Section, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA.
Summary
The cold and menthol-gated channel TRPM8 is essential for maintaining blood sugar balance. Mice lacking TRPM8 show impaired insulin clearance, highlighting its role in metabolic homeostasis.
Area of Science:
- Physiology
- Neuroscience
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Blood glucose regulation relies on insulin secretion and clearance.
- Sensory neurons act as metabolic sensors, influencing insulin homeostasis.
- Transient Receptor Potential (TRP) channels are implicated in neuronal regulation of metabolism.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of the TRPM8 channel in insulin homeostasis.
- To determine if TRPM8 influences insulin clearance and glucose regulation.
Main Methods:
- Utilized TRPM8-deficient (Trpm8-/-) mice and wild-type littermates.
- Administered glucose and insulin challenges to assess metabolic responses.
- Measured insulin clearance rates and insulin-degrading enzyme expression in the liver.
Main Results:
- Trpm8-/- mice exhibited prolonged hypoglycemia after insulin administration.
- Mice lacking TRPM8 showed increased insulin clearance rates.
- Hepatic expression of insulin-degrading enzyme was elevated in Trpm8-/- mice.
- TRPM8-expressing sensory neurons innervate the hepatic portal vein.
Conclusions:
- TRPM8 is a novel regulator of serum insulin levels.
- TRPM8 plays a critical role in maintaining proper insulin homeostasis.
- Sensory innervation, mediated by TRPM8, influences liver insulin clearance and metabolic control.
