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Nutrition and Diabetes

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Bioactives and Nutraceuticals".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (29 February 2020) | Viewed by 19504

Special Issue Editor

Universita di Pisa, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Pisa, Italy

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Diabetes is a chronic condition characterized by increased plasma glucose levels due to a defective insulin release or action. Recently, the International Diabetes Federation has calculated that the people affected by this pathology number approximately 425 million worldwide, and that if no further action is taken, this number will increase by around 50% in the next 25 years (with a prevalence of 9.9%). Considering that the amount of deaths associated with diabetes in 2017 were approximately 4.0 million and that healthcare expenditure was calculated to be 727 billion USD, it is clear that diabetes represents a social and economic burden. This affliction could be reduced, considering that the majority of diabetes cases are largely preventable, by reducing overweight and adopting a healthy lifestyle.

The topic of this Special Issue of the International Journal of Molecular Sciences will be related to the connection between nutrition and diabetes, and will collect original articles and reviews discussing the role of nutrients in diabetes prevention, onset, and/or treatment in already-diagnosed patients, in healthy and/or genetically predisposed people, and in pregnancy. In particular, this Issue will explore the mechanisms involved in the detrimental or beneficial effects of nutrients and/or organic molecules in tissues involved in glucose metabolism (i.e., beta cells, muscle, liver, and adipose tissue) in different genetic and metabolic conditions.

Dr. Marco Bugliani
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • Autophagy
  • Bariatric surgery
  • Beta cells
  • Fasting
  • Gestational diabetes
  • Incretins
  • Insulin release
  • Islet
  • mTOR
  • Oxidative stress

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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20 pages, 3255 KiB  
Article
Assessment of the Phenolic Profiles, Hypoglycemic Activity, and Molecular Mechanism of Different Highland Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) Varieties
by Na Deng, Bisheng Zheng, Tong Li and Rui Hai Liu
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21(4), 1175; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21041175 - 11 Feb 2020
Cited by 44 | Viewed by 4339
Abstract
The phenolic profiles, hypoglycemic activity, and molecular mechanism of the effect on type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) of four highland barley varieties were investigated in the present study. The fundamental phenolics in highland barley were ferulic acid, naringin, and catechin, which mainly existed [...] Read more.
The phenolic profiles, hypoglycemic activity, and molecular mechanism of the effect on type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) of four highland barley varieties were investigated in the present study. The fundamental phenolics in highland barley were ferulic acid, naringin, and catechin, which mainly existed in bound form. These varieties showed favorable hypoglycemic activity via inhibition of α-glucosidase and α-amylase activities, enhancement of glucose consumption, glycogen accumulation and glycogen synthase 2 (GYS2) activity, and down-regulation of glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase) and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) activities. Specifically, ZQ320 variety exhibited the strongest hypoglycemic activity compared to the other varieties. Highland barley phenolics could inhibit gluconeogenesis and motivate glycogen synthesis via down-regulating the gene expression of G6Pase, PEPCK, and glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β), while activating the expression of insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1), phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3K), serine/threonine kinase (Akt), GYS2, and glucose transporter type 4 (GLUT4). Therefore, phenolics from highland barley could be served as suitable candidates for therapeutic agent in T2DM to improve human health. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition and Diabetes)
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13 pages, 2242 KiB  
Article
Identification of a Novel Oligosaccharide in Maple Syrup as a Potential Alternative Saccharide for Diabetes Mellitus Patients
by Kanta Sato, Noriaki Nagai, Tetsushi Yamamoto, Kuniko Mitamura and Atsushi Taga
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2019, 20(20), 5041; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms20205041 - 11 Oct 2019
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 4434 | Correction
Abstract
The incidence of diabetes mellitus (DM) is increasing rapidly and is associated with changes in dietary habits. Although restrictions in the use of sweeteners may prevent the development of DM, this might reduce the quality of life of patients with DM. Therefore, there [...] Read more.
The incidence of diabetes mellitus (DM) is increasing rapidly and is associated with changes in dietary habits. Although restrictions in the use of sweeteners may prevent the development of DM, this might reduce the quality of life of patients with DM. Therefore, there has been a great deal of research into alternative sweeteners. In the search for such sweeteners, we analyzed the carbohydrate content of maple syrup and identified a novel oligosaccharide composed of fructose and glucose, linked at the C-4 of glucose and the C-6 of fructose. This oligosaccharide inhibited the release of fructose from sucrose by invertase (IC50: 1.17 mmol/L) and the decomposition of maltose by α-(1-4) glucosidase (IC50: 1.72 mmol/L). In addition, when orally administered together with sucrose to rats with DM, the subsequent plasma glucose concentrations were significantly lower than if the rats had been administered sucrose alone, without having any effect on the insulin concentration. These findings suggest that this novel oligosaccharide might represent a useful alternative sweetener for inclusion in the diet of patients with DM and may also have therapeutic benefits. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition and Diabetes)
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19 pages, 11142 KiB  
Article
Oral DhHP-6 for the Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
by Kai Wang, Yu Su, Yuting Liang, Yanhui Song and Liping Wang
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2019, 20(6), 1517; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms20061517 - 26 Mar 2019
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3188
Abstract
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is associated with pancreatic β-cell dysfunction which can be induced by oxidative stress. Deuterohemin-βAla-His-Thr-Val-Glu-Lys (DhHP-6) is a microperoxidase mimetic that can scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS) in vivo. In our previous studies, we demonstrated an increased stability of [...] Read more.
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is associated with pancreatic β-cell dysfunction which can be induced by oxidative stress. Deuterohemin-βAla-His-Thr-Val-Glu-Lys (DhHP-6) is a microperoxidase mimetic that can scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS) in vivo. In our previous studies, we demonstrated an increased stability of linear peptides upon their covalent attachment to porphyrins. In this study, we assessed the utility of DhHP-6 as an oral anti-diabetic drug in vitro and in vivo. DhHP-6 showed high resistance to proteolytic degradation in vitro and in vivo. The degraded DhHP-6 product in gastrointestinal (GI) fluid retained the enzymatic activity of DhHP-6, but displayed a higher permeability coefficient. DhHP-6 protected against the cell damage induced by H2O2 and promoted insulin secretion in INS-1 cells. In the T2DM model, DhHP-6 reduced blood glucose levels and facilitated the recovery of blood lipid disorders. DhHP-6 also mitigated both insulin resistance and glucose tolerance. Most importantly, DhHP-6 promoted the recovery of damaged pancreas islets. These findings suggest that DhHP-6 in physiological environments has high stability against enzymatic degradation and maintains enzymatic activity. As DhHP-6 lowered the fasting blood glucose levels of T2DM mice, it thus represents a promising candidate for oral administration and clinical therapy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition and Diabetes)
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Review

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19 pages, 1273 KiB  
Review
Glucose-Sensing Transcription Factor MondoA/ChREBP as Targets for Type 2 Diabetes: Opportunities and Challenges
by Ziyi Song, Hao Yang, Lei Zhou and Fajun Yang
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2019, 20(20), 5132; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms20205132 - 16 Oct 2019
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 6754
Abstract
The worldwide increase in type 2 diabetes (T2D) is becoming a major health concern, thus searching for novel preventive and therapeutic strategies has become urgent. In last decade, the paralogous transcription factors MondoA and carbohydrate response element-binding protein (ChREBP) have been revealed to [...] Read more.
The worldwide increase in type 2 diabetes (T2D) is becoming a major health concern, thus searching for novel preventive and therapeutic strategies has become urgent. In last decade, the paralogous transcription factors MondoA and carbohydrate response element-binding protein (ChREBP) have been revealed to be central mediators of glucose sensing in multiple metabolic organs. Under normal nutrient conditions, MondoA/ChREBP plays vital roles in maintaining glucose homeostasis. However, under chronic nutrient overload, the dysregulation of MondoA/ChREBP contributes to metabolic disorders, such as insulin resistance (IR) and T2D. In this review, we aim to provide an overview of recent advances in the understanding of MondoA/ChREBP and its roles in T2D development. Specifically, we will briefly summarize the functional similarities and differences between MondoA and ChREBP. Then, we will update the roles of MondoA/ChREBP in four T2D-associated metabolic organs (i.e., the skeletal muscle, liver, adipose tissue, and pancreas) in physiological and pathological conditions. Finally, we will discuss the opportunities and challenges of MondoA/ChREBP as drug targets for anti-diabetes. By doing so, we highlight the potential use of therapies targeting MondoA/ChREBP to counteract T2D and its complications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition and Diabetes)
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