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Updated: May 13, 2025

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Inducing elevated glucose levels in vitro: A model to simulate prediabetes (preDBT) states in primary cultures

Canal Maria Pilar1, Acutain Maria Florencia1, Nini Karen Agustina1

  • 1Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia (IBCN), CONICET-UBA, Argentina.

Brain, Behavior, and Immunity
|April 16, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Prediabetes, or impaired fasting glucose, may harm brain cells and lead to cognitive decline. Early intervention in prediabetes is crucial to prevent progression to Type 2 Diabetes and neurodegenerative disorders.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Endocrinology
  • Metabolic Disorders

Background:

  • Emerging evidence links prediabetes (preDBT), characterized by impaired fasting glucose (IFG), to neurodegenerative disorders (NDDs) like Alzheimer's disease.
  • IFG may be an early indicator of cognitive decline and NDD onset, but the underlying mechanisms are unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of IFG on central nervous system (CNS) cells.
  • To develop an in vitro model of preDBT using sera from individuals with IFG.

Main Methods:

  • Developed an in vitro prediabetes model using sera from individuals with IFG.
  • Exposed astrocyte-neuron mixed cultures to IFG sera.
  • Assessed cognitive function using a battery of cognitive tests.

Main Results:

  • IFG sera exposure induced hyperglycemia, increased oxidative stress, and astrogliosis in CNS cultures.
  • These cellular changes correlate with cognitive impairment observed in the study cohort.
  • Findings suggest early prediabetes stages can initiate CNS changes linked to cognitive decline.

Conclusions:

  • Early stages of prediabetes can trigger detrimental changes in CNS cells.
  • These changes are associated with cognitive decline and may contribute to NDDs.
  • Emphasizes the need for early prediabetes diagnosis and intervention to prevent progression to Type 2 Diabetes and NDDs.

Keywords:
Cognitive impairmentHigh glucose levelImpaired fasting glucoseIn vitro preDBTNeurodegenerative disorders

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