title: Impaired insulin biosynthetic capacity in a rat model for non-insulin-dependent diabetes. Studies with dexamethasone.
abstract: These studies of a rat model for non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) were performed to determine whether hyperglycemia occurs when capacity to synthesize insulin is exceeded. The neonatal streptozocin (STZ)-treated rat has acute hyperglycemia with marked destruction of pancreatic beta-cells, followed by gradual regeneration to 50-70% normal beta-cell number. At age 4 wk, fed serum glucose concentration is only mildly elevated relative to controls. With age, the rats become progressively hyperglycemic, and by 12 wk they have marked impairment of glucose-stimulated insulin release. In these studies, dexamethasone (0.125 mg/kg/day for 4 days) was administered to control and to STZ-treated animals to produce insulin resistance. The relationship between insulin biosynthesis and serum glucose concentrations was assessed. In control rats, response to dexamethasone was similar at both 4 and 12 wk. Serum glucose levels and pancreatic insulin concentration remained unchanged. Both insulin biosynthetic rates (as measured by 3H-leucine incorporation into proinsulin) and proinsulin mRNA levels increased twofold. STZ-treated rats at age 4 wk demonstrated mild hyperglycemia. Dexamethasone injection resulted in an increase in insulin biosynthesis and proinsulin mRNA in these animals, while serum glucose did not increase. STZ-treated rats at 12 wk showed more profound hyperglycemia (serum glucose 315 +/- 38 mg/dl versus control, 187 +/- 12 mg/dl). A marked rise in serum glucose (to 519 +/- 42 mg/dl) was observed after 4 days of dexamethasone injection. Pancreatic insulin content became severely depleted relative to saline-injected, STZ-treated animals, and there was no response of levels of proinsulin mRNA.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / Q000378:metabolism*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D007328:Insulin / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008297:Male; D011384:Proinsulin / Q000235:genetics; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000302:isolation & purification; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D007328:Insulin; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D003907:Dexamethasone; D011384:Proinsulin