The HDAC Inhibitor Butyrate Impairs β Cell Function and Activates the Disallowed Gene Hexokinase I

Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors such as butyrate have been reported to reduce diabetes risk and protect insulin-secreting pancreatic β cells in animal models. However, studies on insulin-secreting cells in vitro have found that butyrate treatment resulted in impaired or inappropriate insulin secretion. Our study explores the effects of butyrate on insulin secretion by BRIN BD-11 rat pancreatic β cells and examined effects on the expression of genes implicated in β cell function. Robust HDAC inhibition with 5 mM butyrate or trichostatin A for 24 h in β cells decreased basal insulin secretion and content, as well as insulin secretion in response to acute stimulation. Treatment with butyrate also increased expression of the disallowed gene hexokinase I, possibly explaining the impairment to insulin secretion, and of TXNIP, which may increase oxidative stress and β cell apoptosis. In contrast to robust HDAC inhibition (>70% after 24 h), low-dose and acute high-dose treatment with butyrate enhanced nutrient-stimulated insulin secretion. In conclusion, although protective effects of HDAC inhibition have been observed in vivo, potent HDAC inhibition impairs β cell function in vitro. The chronic low dose and acute high dose butyrate treatments may be more reflective of in vivo effects.