Blood glycemia-modulating effects of melanian snail protein hydrolysates in mice with type II diabetes

Int J Mol Med. 2017 Jun;39(6):1437-1451. doi: 10.3892/ijmm.2017.2967. Epub 2017 Apr 26.

Abstract

Freshwater animal proteins have long been used as nutrient supplements. In this study, melanian snail (Semisulcospira libertina) protein hydrolysates (MPh) were found to exert anti-diabetic and protective effects against liver and kidney damage in mice with type II diabetes adapted to a 45% kcal high-fat diet (HFD). The hypoglycemic, hepatoprotective and nephroprotective effects of MPh were analyzed after 12 weeks of the continuous oral administration of MPh at 125, 250 and 500 mg/kg. Diabetic control mice exhibited an increase in body weight, and blood glucose and insulin levels, with a decrease in serum high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels. In addition, an increase in the regions of steatohepatitis, hepatocyte hypertrophy, and lipid droplet deposit-related renal tubular vacuolation degenerative lesions were detected, with noticeable expansion and hyperplasia of the pancreatic islets, and an increase in glucagon- and insulin-producing cells, insulin/glucagon cell ratios in the endocrine pancreas and hepatic lipid peroxidation, as well as decreased zymogen contents. Furthermore, a deterioration of the endogenous antioxidant defense system was observed, with reduced glucose utilization related hepatic glucokinase (GK) activity and an increase in hepatic gluconeogenesis-related phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) and glucose‑6-phosphatase (G6pase) activity. However, all of these diabetic complications were significantly inhibited by oral treatment with MPh in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, the marked dose-dependent inhibition of hepatic lipid peroxidation, the depletion of the liver endogenous antioxidant defense system, and changes in hepatic glucose-regulating enzyme activities were also observed. The results of this study suggest that MPh exerts potent anti-diabetic effects, along with the amelioration of related complications in mice with type II diabetes. The overall effects of MPh at a dose of 125 mg/kg on HFD-induced diabetes and related complications were similar or more potent than those of metformin (250 mg/kg).

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Blood Glucose / analysis*
  • Body Weight / drug effects
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / blood*
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / drug therapy*
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / metabolism
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / pathology
  • Eating / drug effects
  • Female
  • Glycated Hemoglobin / analysis
  • Hypoglycemic Agents / administration & dosage
  • Hypoglycemic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Insulin / blood
  • Kidney / drug effects
  • Kidney / metabolism
  • Kidney / pathology
  • Lipids / blood
  • Liver / drug effects
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Liver / pathology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred ICR
  • Protective Agents / administration & dosage
  • Protective Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Protein Hydrolysates / chemistry
  • Protein Hydrolysates / therapeutic use*
  • Snails / chemistry

Substances

  • Blood Glucose
  • Glycated Hemoglobin A
  • Hypoglycemic Agents
  • Insulin
  • Lipids
  • Protective Agents
  • Protein Hydrolysates