Glutamine dipeptide and cortisol change the liver glucose metabolism and reduce the severity of insulin-induced hypoglycaemia in untreated T1DM Swiss mice

C Bataglini, DGL Rezende, MA Primo… - … of Physiology and …, 2017 - Taylor & Francis
C Bataglini, DGL Rezende, MA Primo, CRG Gomes, MMD Pedrosa, VAF Godoi
Archives of Physiology and Biochemistry, 2017Taylor & Francis
Context: Glutamine is conditionally essential in type 1 diabetes mellitus, and might be useful
to counteract hypoglycaemia. Objective: To investigate the systemic and hepatic effects of
counter-regulatory hormones and glutamine dipeptide (GDP) during hypoglycemic
episodes. Materials and methods: Diabetic Swiss mice made hypoglycaemic by insulin
injection (1 U/kg) were given counter-regulatory hormones and/or GDP. Sixty minutes later,
liver histology, liver glucose metabolism and plasma were assessed. Results: Combined …
Context
Glutamine is conditionally essential in type 1 diabetes mellitus, and might be useful to counteract hypoglycaemia.
Objective
To investigate the systemic and hepatic effects of counter-regulatory hormones and glutamine dipeptide (GDP) during hypoglycemic episodes.
Materials and methods
Diabetic Swiss mice made hypoglycaemic by insulin injection (1 U/kg) were given counter-regulatory hormones and/or GDP. Sixty minutes later, liver histology, liver glucose metabolism and plasma were assessed.
Results
Combined, cortisol and GDP improved the hypoglycemic profile. During liver perfusion, gluconeogenesis was possibly the major pathway leading to glucose release. Perfusion with gluconeogenic precursors after glycogen depletion by adrenaline increased liver glucose and urea release.
Discussion
The less severe hypoglycaemia could result from cortisol stimulating periportal gluconeogenesis and GDP inhibiting pericentral glycogenolysis, both favouring liver glucose release.
Conclusions
At least some benefits of GDP and cortisol during hypoglycaemia came from their hepatic actions, and their use in diabetic patients should be explored.
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