Influence of oral insulin supplementation on carbohydrate, lipid and protein metabolism in weaned Balb/c mice.
BACKGROUND
[corrected] Insulin is substantially present in human milk. Suckling animal models have demonstrated local trophic effects of insulin on the gut mucosa, but the effects of oral insulin in the post-weaning period are controversial.


OBJECTIVE
To examine local and systemic effects of oral insulin supplementation in the post-weaning period.


METHODS
Balb/c mice received oral insulin supplementation in their drinking water (1 U/ml) from beyond weaning during 40 days (S group). Plasma glucose, lipid levels, amylase and insulin were measured. The liver and intestine were weighed and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance (TBARS) levels were examined in liver tissue. These data were compared to a control group (C group).


RESULTS
Fasting glucose levels (mean +/- SD) were lower in the S than in the C group (116. 5 +/- 10.7 vs 143.9 +/- 25.4 mg/dl; p < 0.001), as were prandial glucose levels (123.1 +/- 12.2 vs 145.1 +/- 18.0 mg/dl; p = 0.03). Plasma insulin levels were higher in the S than in the C group (1,110.28 +/- 721.59 vs 308.17 +/- 100.50 pmol/; p = 0.03). Total triglyceride levels (130.4 +/- 32.4 vs 193.6 +/- 48.4 mg/dl; p < 0.02) and total cholesterol levels (83.6 +/- 5.7 vs 93.3 +/- 7.9 mg/dl; p < 0.05) were lower in the S group compared with the C group. Liver weight was significantly higher in the S group compared with C (0.75 +/- 0.1 vs 0. 7 +/- 0.1 g, p = 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
In the post-weaning period, oral insulin supplementation had a significant effect on plasma glucose levels and lipid profile, as well as on liver weight and protein content in Balb/c mice. The application of these findings in humans should be studied.
Shehadeh
Naim
N
Juvenile Diabetes Unit, Rambam Medical Center and the B. Rapapport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-lsrael Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel. n_shehadeh@rambam.health.gov.il
Wies
Ram
R
Eishach
Orly
O
Berant
Moshe
M
Etzioni
Amos
A
Shamir
Raanan
R
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000681:Amylases / Q000097:blood*; D000818:Animals; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000187:drug effects; D050260:Carbohydrate Metabolism; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood*; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D007328:Insulin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood; D007422:Intestines / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000187:drug effects; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects; D008099:Liver / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000187:drug effects; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D009929:Organ Size; D011506:Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D017392:Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances / Q000378:metabolism*; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood*; D014886:Weaning
D001786:Blood Glucose; D007328:Insulin; D011506:Proteins; D017392:Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances; D014280:Triglycerides; D002784:Cholesterol; D000681:Amylases