Abstract

BACKGROUND
An OLETF(Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty) rat is a model of type 2 diabetes that is characterized by obesity-induced insulin resistance. Taurine has been known to be beneficial for type 2 diabetes. This study evaluated the potential taurine effect on the insulin response to high glucose in the islets of OLETF rats. METHODS: One percent of taurine was put in the drinking water for the taurine group of OLETF rats at the time of their being 20 to 39 weeks of age. At 40 weeks, the pancreatic islets and beta cells were obtained to measure the glucose-stimulated insulin secretion(GSIS) and the ATP-sensitive K+(KATP) channel current. RESULTS: Taurine supplementation had no effect on the weight change of the rats when this was measured weekly from 20 to 39 weeks(mean+/-SE: 702+/-19g in the control group vs. 688+/-18g in the taurine group at the 39th week). However, the GSIS was significantly potentiated in the taurine-treated rats(8.9+/-1.3% vs. 13.2+/-3.2% of the total secreted at 15 mM glucose for 1h). The glucose-induced KATP channel inhibition in the beta cells was also greater in the taurine group. CONCLUSION: Taurine supplementation is a beneficial tool for the restoration of GSIS in the pancreatic islet of the OLETF rats. Maintenance of blood taurine level may be important in treating type 2 diabetic patients, who are subject to a low blood level of taurine

• Keywords: OLETF rat;Taurine;KATP channel;Glucose sensitivity;Pancreatic beta cell;Insulin