Effects of biotin on glucotoxicity or lipotoxicity in rat pancreatic islets

Effects of dietary biotin supplementation on glucagon production, secretion, and action

OBJECTIVE

Despite increasing evidence that pharmacologic concentrations of biotin modify glucose metabolism, to our knowledge there have not been any studies addressing the effects of biotin supplementation on glucagon production and secretion, considering glucagon is one of the major hormones in maintaining glucose homeostasis. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of dietary biotin supplementation on glucagon expression, secretion, and action.

METHODS

Male BALB/cAnN Hsd mice were fed a control or a biotin-supplemented diet (1.76 or 97.7 mg biotin/kg diet) for 8 wk postweaning. Glucagon gene mRNA expression was measured by the real-time polymerase chain reaction. Glucagon secretion was assessed in isolated islets and by glucagon concentration in plasma. Glucagon action was evaluated by glucagon tolerance tests, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (Pck1) mRNA expression, and glycogen degradation.

RESULTS

Compared with the control group, glucagon mRNA and secretion were increased from the islets of the biotin-supplemented group. Fasting plasma glucagon levels were higher, but no differences between the groups were observed in nonfasting glucagon levels. Despite the elevated fasting glucagon levels, no differences were found in fasting blood glucose concentrations, fasting/fasting-refeeding glucagon tolerance tests, glycogen content and degradation, or mRNA expression of the hepatic gluconeogenic rate-limiting enzyme, Pck1.

CONCLUSIONS

These results demonstrated that dietary biotin supplementation increased glucagon expression and secretion without affecting fasting blood glucose concentrations or glucagon tolerance and provided new insights into the effect of biotin supplementation on glucagon production and action.

Effect of high-intensity exercise and high-fat diet on lipid metabolism in the liver of rats

PURPOSE

This study investigated the effects of high-intensity exercise (Ex) and high dietary fat intake on lipid metabolism in the liver of rats.

METHODS

Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to one of the four groups (n=10 per group) that were maintained on a normal diet (ND) or high-fat diet (HFD) consisting of 30% fat (w/w), with or without exercise on a treadmill at 30 m/min and 8% grade) for 4 weeks (i.e., ND, ND+Ex, HFD, and HFD+Ex groups).

RESULTS

Body weight (p<.001), total plasma cholesterol (TC) (p<.001), triglyceride (TG) (p<.05), and liver TG levels (p<.05) were increased in the HFD group relative to the ND groups, and serum glucose (p<.05), insulin (p<.05), homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (p<.01), and liver TG levels (p<.01) were also higher in the HFD group compared to the ND+Ex group. Plasma free fatty acid was elevated in the HFD+Ex group compared to the HFD group (p<.01). With the exception of acetyl coenzyme A carboxylase, the expression of lipid metabolism-related genes in the liver was altered in the Ex groups compared to the control group (p<.05), with genes involved in lipolysis specifically up regulated in the HFD+Ex group compared to the other groups.

CONCLUSION

Vigorous exercise may increase glucose utilization and fat oxidation by activating genes in the liver that are associated with lipid metabolism compared to that in animals consuming a HFD without exercise. Therefore, high intensity exercise can be considered to counter the adverse effects of high dietary fat intake.

Biotin amelioration of nephrotoxicity in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice

The current study was carried out to investigate the protective role of biotin in kidney injury and oxidative stress in diabetic mice type 1. Male Swiss albino mice were randomly divided into 3 groups. Control group received saline. Diabetes type 1 was induced in second and third groups by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin as a single dose (150 mg/kg). Second group remained as the untreated diabetic group and the third group received 15 mg/kg daily oral dose of biotin for 12 successive days. Biochemical results showed significant elevation in blood glucose and urea levels in both diabetic groups. Also, there is an increase in glomerular areas and decrease in glomerular cellularity in both diabetic groups. Histopathological results showed severe alterations in the untreated diabetic group represented by distorted glomeruli, inflammatory cells, and giant macrophages. In addition, there was an intense immune-reaction response toward acrolein indicator of oxidative damage. Upon biotin administration of diabetic mice, the above mentioned histopathological changes were reduced and also acroline reaction of oxidative damage was diminished. Our findings prove that biotin has a protective role against streptozotocin-induced oxidative damage in kidneys of laboratory mice.

Biotin uptake by mouse and human pancreatic beta cells/islets: a regulated, lipopolysaccharide-sensitive carrier-mediated process

Biotin is essential for the normal function of pancreatic beta cells. These cells obtain biotin from their surroundings via transport across their cell membrane. Little is known about the uptake mechanism involved, how it is regulated, and how it is affected by internal and external factors. We addressed these issues using the mouse-derived pancreatic beta-TC-6 cells and freshly isolated mouse and human primary pancreatic beta cells as models. The results showed biotin uptake by pancreatic beta-TC-6 cells occurs via a Na(+)-dependent, carrier-mediated process, that is sensitive to desthiobiotin, as well as to pantothenic acid and lipoate; the process is also saturable as a function of concentration (apparent Km = 22.24 ± 5.5 μM). These cells express the sodium-dependent multivitamin transporter (SMVT), whose knockdown (with doxycycline-inducible shRNA) led to a sever inhibition in biotin uptake. Similarly, uptake of biotin by mouse and human primary pancreatic islets is Na(+)-dependent and carrier-mediated, and both cell types express SMVT. Biotin uptake by pancreatic beta-TC-6 cells is also adaptively regulated (via transcriptional mechanism) by extracellular substrate level. Chronic treatment of pancreatic beta-TC-6 cells with bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS) leads to inhibition in biotin uptake. This inhibition is mediated via a Toll-Like receptor 4-mediated process and involves a decrease in membrane expression of SMVT. These findings show, for the first time, that pancreatic beta cells/islets take up biotin via a specific and regulated carrier-mediated process, and that the process is sensitive to the effect of LPS.

Survey of the effect of biotin on glycemic control and plasma lipid concentrations in type 1 diabetic patients in kermanshah in iran (2008-2009)

OBJECTIVE

Diabetes mellitus is the most common chronic endocrine disease worldwide. Intensive glycemic control plays an important role in decreasing morbidity and mortality rate of the disease. Preclinical studies have shown that biotin has an essential role in regulating blood glucose and serum lipid metabolism. This study aims to evaluate the effect of biotin on glycemic control and plasma lipids concentrations in type 1diabetic patients.

METHODS

This randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial study was conducted 70 type 1 diabetic patients with an age range 5-25 years old with poorly controlled (glycosylated hemoglobin ≥8%). Subjects were randomly allocated into two groups. In the intervention group biotin (40 microgram/kg) was administered plus daily insulin, while the control group received placebo plus daily insulin regimen for three months. Laboratory tests including glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting blood sugar and plasma lipids were measured at the base and after 3 months.

RESULTS

In this study, seventy patients were evaluated, 35 were allocated to each group. There were no statistically significant differences between age, gender, duration of diabetes, BMI and BP between the two groups (p>0.05). HbA1c in the intervention (biotin) group was 9.84±1.80 at base and after 3 months treatment, it declined to 8.88±1.73 (p<0.001). In the control group HbA1c at base was 9.39±1.58, after 3 months it increased to10.11± 1.68. There were statistically significant differences in the mean of HbA1c in both the biotin and the control groups (p<0.001). FBS in the biotin group at base was 275±65.76 mg/dl and after 3 months it had reduced to 226± 41.31 (p<0.001). There were statistically significant differences in the mean of total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride between the two groups at the end of 3 months (p<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Results of this study showed that biotin administration as an adjuvant in addition to insulin regimen can improve glycemic management and decrease plasma lipids concentrations in poorly controlled type 1 diabetic patients.

Effects of biotin supplementation in the diet on insulin secretion, islet gene expression, glucose homeostasis and beta-cell proportion

Besides its role as a carboxylase cofactor, biotin has a wide repertoire of effects on gene expression, development and metabolism. Pharmacological concentrations of biotin enhance insulin secretion and the expression of genes and signaling pathways that favor islet function in vitro. However, the in vivo effects of biotin supplementation on pancreatic islet function are largely unknown. In the present study, we investigated whether in vivo biotin supplementation in the diet has positive effects in rodent pancreatic islets. Male BALB/cAnN Hsd mice were fed a control or a biotin-supplemented diet over 8 weeks postweaning and tested for glucose homeostasis, insulin secretion, islet gene expression and pancreatic morphometry. Insulin secretion increased from the islets of biotin-supplemented mice, together with the messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of several transcription factors regulating insulin expression and secretion, including forkhead box A2, pancreatic and duodenal homeobox 1 and hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α. The mRNA abundance of glucokinase, Cacna1d, acetyl-CoA carboxylase, and insulin also increased. Consistent with these effects, glucose tolerance improved, and glucose-stimulated serum insulin levels increased in biotin-supplemented mice, without changes in fasting glucose levels or insulin tolerance. Biotin supplementation augmented the proportion of beta cells by enlarging islet size and, unexpectedly, also increased the percentage of islets with alpha cells at the islet core. mRNA expression of neural cell adhesion molecule 1, an adhesion protein participating in the maintenance of islet architecture, decreased in biotin-supplemented islets. These findings provide, for the first time, insight into how biotin supplementation exerts its effects on function and proportion of beta cells, suggesting a role for biotin in the prevention and treatment of diabetes.

Stevioside Counteracts Beta-Cell Lipotoxicity without Affecting Acetyl CoA Carboxylase

Chronic exposure to high levels of free fatty acids impairs beta-cell function (lipotoxicity). Then basal insulin secretion (BIS) is increased and glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) is inhibited. Acetyl CoA carboxylase (ACC) acts as the sensor for insulin secretion in pancreatic beta-cells in response to glucose and other nutrients. Stevioside (SVS), a diterpene glycoside, has recently been shown to prevent glucotoxic effect by regulating ACC activity. The aim of this study was to investigate whether SVS can alleviate impaired beta-cell function by regulating ACC activity. We exposed isolated rat islets and the clonal beta-cell line, INS-1E, to palmitate concentrations of 1.0 or 0.6 mM, respectively, for a period of 24 h to 120 h. The results showed that lipotoxicity occurred in rat islets after 72 h exposure to 1.0 mM palmitate. The lipotoxicity was counteracted by 10(-6) M SVS (n = 8, p < 0.001). Similar results were obtained in INS-1E cells. Neither SVS nor palmitate had any effect on the gene expression of ACC, insulin 2, and glucose transporter 2 in INS-1E cells. In contrast, palmitate significantly increased the gene expression of carnitine palmitoyl transporter 1 (n = 6, p = 0.003). However, the addition of SVS to palmitate did not counteract this effect (n = 6, p = 1.0). During lipotoxicity, SVS did not alter levels of ACC protein, phosphorylated-ACC, ACC activity or glucose uptake. Our results showed that SVS counteracts the impaired insulin secretion during lipotoxicity in rat islets as well as in INS-1E cells without affecting ACC activity.

Exenatide and biotin in conjunction with a protein-sparing fast for normalization of beta cell function in type 2 diabetics

The dysdifferentiation of beta cells in type 2 diabetes appears to be caused and maintained by a vicious cycle of glucolipotoxicity: chronic elevations of glucose and free fatty acids induce beta cell dysdifferentiation as well as apoptosis; the resulting failure of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion tends to maintain the elevations of glucose and free fatty acids. Since extended fasts restore normoglycemia in diabetics, the resulting relief from glucotoxicity has been associated with a marked improvement in beta cell function that can be conserved after the fast if the factors precipitating diabetes--obesity, fatty and high-glycemic-index diets, sedentary lifestyle--have been adequately addressed. The new drug exenatide, an analog of the incretin hormone glucagon-like peptide-1, may be a worthwhile adjuvant to such fasting therapy, since it tends to counteract the glucolipotoxicity-induced down-regulation of the crucially important beta cell transcription factor IDX-1. Exenatide also exerts trophic effects on beta cell mass that in the longer term might help to restore diminished beta cell mass. Supraphysiological concentrations of biotin, possibly because they activate the soluble guanylate cyclase, also promote induction of IDX-1 and counteract the adverse impact of glucolipotoxicity in this regard; thus, high-dose biotin, which is well tolerated, may represent an additional adjuvant for therapeutic fasting intended to normalize beta cell function in type 2 diabetics.

Biotin supplementation reduces plasma triacylglycerol and VLDL in type 2 diabetic patients and in nondiabetic subjects with hypertriglyceridemia

Biotin is a water-soluble vitamin that acts as a prosthetic group of carboxylases. Besides its role as carboxylase prosthetic group, biotin regulates gene expression and has a wide repertoire of effects on systemic processes. The vitamin regulates genes that are critical in the regulation of intermediary metabolism. Several studies have reported a relationship between biotin and blood lipids. In the present work we investigated the effect of biotin administration on the concentration of plasma lipids, as well as glucose and insulin in type 2 diabetic and nondiabetic subjects. Eighteen diabetic and 15 nondiabetic subjects aged 30-65 were randomized into two groups and received either 61.4 micromol/day of biotin or placebo for 28 days. Plasma samples obtained at baseline and after treatment were analyzed for total triglyceride, cholesterol, very low density lipoprotein (VLDL), glucose and insulin. We found that the vitamin significantly reduced (P=0.005) plasma triacylglycerol and VLDL concentrations. Biotin produced the following changes (mean of absolute differences between 0 and 28 day treatment+/-S.E.M.): a) triacylglycerol -0.55+/-0.2 in the diabetic group and -0.92+/-0.36 in the nondiabetic group; b) VLDL: -0.11+/-0.04 in the diabetic group and -0.18+/-0.07 in the nondiabetic group. Biotin treatment had no significant effects on cholesterol, glucose and insulin in either the diabetic or nondiabetic subjects. We conclude that pharmacological doses of biotin decrease hypertriglyceridemia. The triglyceride-lowering effect of biotin suggests that biotin could be used in the treatment of hypertriglyceridemia.

Use of chromium picolinate and biotin in the management of type 2 diabetes: an economic analysis

This paper addresses the potential economic benefits of chromium picolinate plus biotin (Diachrome) use in people with Type 2 diabetes (T2DM). The economic model was developed to estimate the impact on health care systems' costs by improved HbA1C levels with chromium picolinate plus biotin (Diachrome). Lifetimes cost savings were estimated by adjusting a benchmark from the literature, using a price index to adjust for inflation. The cost of diabetes is highly dependent on the HbA1C level with higher initial levels and higher annual increments increasing the cost. Improvement in glycemic control has proven to be cost-effective in delaying the onset and progression of T2DM, reducing the risk for diabetes-associated complications and lowering utilization and cost of care. Chromium picolinate plus biotin (Diachrome) showed greater improvement of glycemic control in poorly controlled T2DM patients (HbA(1C) > or = 10%) compared to their better controlled counterparts (HbA(1C) < 10%). This improvement was additive to that achieved by oral hypoglycemic medications and correlates to calculated levels of cost savings. Average 3-year cost savings for chromium picolinate plus biotin (Diachrome) use could range from 1,636 dollars for a poorly controlled patient with diabetes without heart diseases or hypertension, to 5,435 dollars for a poorly controlled patient with diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension. Average 3-year cost savings was estimated to be between 3.9 billion dollars and 52.9 billion dollars for the 16.3 million existing patients with diabetes. Chromium picolinate plus biotin (Diachrome) use among the 1.17 million newly diagnosed patients with T2DM each year could deliver lifetime cost savings of 42 billion dollars, or 36,000 dollars per T2DM patient. Affordable, safe, and convenient, chromium picolinate plus biotin (Diachrome) could prove to be a cost-effective complement to existing pharmacological therapies for controlling T2DM.

cGMP may have trophic effects on beta cell function comparable to those of cAMP, implying a role for high-dose biotin in prevention/treatment of diabetes

Incretin hormones have trophic effects on beta cell function that can aid prevention and treatment of diabetes. cAMP is the primary mediator of these effects, and has been shown to potentiate glucose-stimulated insulin secretion, promote proper beta cells differentiation by increasing expression of the crucial transcription factor PDX-1, and prevent beta cell apoptosis. cGMP's role in beta cell function has received far less scrutiny, but there is emerging evidence that it may have a trophic impact on beta cell function analogous to that of cAMP. An increase in plasma glucose boosts beta cell production of cGMP, which acts as a feed-forward mediator to enhance glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. cGMP also has an anti-apoptotic effect in beta cells, and there is now indirect evidence that it promotes expression of PDX-1. Supraphysiological concentrations of biotin can directly activate guanylate cyclase, and there is limited evidence that high intakes of this vitamin can be therapeutically beneficial in diabetics and in rodent models of diabetes. Beneficial effects of cGMP on muscle insulin sensitivity and on control of hepatic glucose output may contribute to biotin's utility in diabetes. The fact that nitric oxide/cGMP exert a range of favorable effects on vascular health should further encourage exploration of biotin's preventive and therapeutic potential. If an appropriate high-dose biotin regimen could achieve a modest systemic increase in guanylate cyclase activity, without entailing unacceptable side effects or risks, such a regimen might have considerable potential for promoting vascular health and preventing or managing diabetes.

Nutraceutical resources for diabetes prevention--an update

There is considerable need for safe agents that can reduce risk for diabetes in at-risk subjects. Although certain drugs--including metformin, acarbose, and orlistat--have shown diabetes-preventive activity in large randomized studies, nutraceuticals have potential in this regard as well. Natural agents which slow carbohydrate absorption may mimic the protective effect of acarbose; these include: soluble fiber--most notably glucomannan; chlorogenic acid--likely responsible for reduction in diabetes risk associated with heavy coffee intake; and legume-derived alpha-amylase inhibitors. There does not appear to be a natural lipase inhibitor functionally equivalent to orlistat, although there are poorly documented claims for Cassia nomame extracts. Metformin's efficacy reflects activation of AMP-activated kinase; there is preliminary evidence that certain compounds in barley malt have similar activity, without the side effects associated with metformin. In supraphysiological concentrations, biotin directly activates soluble guanylate cyclase; this implies that, at some sufficient intake, biotin should exert effects on beta cells, the liver, and skeletal muscle that favor good glucose tolerance and maintenance of effective beta cell function. Good magnesium status is associated with reduced diabetes risk and superior insulin sensitivity in recent epidemiology; ample intakes of chromium picolinate appear to promote insulin sensitivity in many individuals and improve glycemic control in some diabetics; calcium/vitamin D may help preserve insulin sensitivity by preventing secondary hyperparathyroidism. Although conjugated linoleic acid--like thiazolidinediones, a PPAR-gamma agonist--has not aided insulin sensitivity in clinical trials, the natural rexinoid phytanic acid exerts thiazolidinedione-like effect in animals and cell cultures, and merits clinical examination. Other natural agents with the potential to treat and possibly prevent diabetes include extracts of bitter melon and of cinnamon. Nutraceuticals featuring meaningful doses of combinations of these agents would likely have substantial diabetes-preventive efficacy, and presumably could be marketed legally as aids to good glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity.

Evidence against the involvement of oxidative stress in fatty acid inhibition of insulin secretion

Prolonged exposure to elevated levels of fatty acids adversely affects pancreatic beta-cell function. Here we investigated 1) whether ceramide synthesis, which we reported to mediate fatty acid inhibition of insulin gene expression, also inhibits insulin secretion and 2) whether fatty acid inhibition of insulin secretion involves the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), nitric oxide (NO), or prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)). A 72-h culture of islets in the presence of palmitate or oleate resulted in a marked decrease in glucose-induced insulin release assessed in 1-h static incubations. This effect was reproduced by exogenous diacylglycerol, but not by a cell-permeable analog of ceramide. Culture in the presence of fatty acids was not associated with an increase in intracellular peroxide or NO levels, neither was insulin secretion restored by antioxidants or an inhibitor of NO production. Exposure to fatty acids led to an increase in PGE(2) release, but an inhibitor of cyclooxygenase 2 was unable to prevent fatty acid inhibition of insulin secretion. These results indicate that fatty acid inhibition of insulin secretion 1) is not mediated by de novo ceramide synthesis, ROS, NO, or PGE(2), and 2) is likely to be caused by the generation of signals or metabolites downstream of diacylglycerol.

Biotin enhances ATP synthesis in pancreatic islets of the rat, resulting in reinforcement of glucose-induced insulin secretion

Previous studies showed that biotin enhanced glucose-induced insulin secretion. Changes in the cytosolic ATP/ADP ratio in the pancreatic islets participate in the regulation of insulin secretion by glucose. In the present study we investigated whether biotin regulates the cytosolic ATP/ADP ratio in glucose-stimulated islets. When islets were stimulated with glucose plus biotin, the ATP/ADP ratio increased to approximately 160% of the ATP/ADP ratio in islets stimulated with glucose alone. The rate of glucose oxidation, assessed by CO(2) production, was also about 2-fold higher in islets treated with biotin. These increasing effects of biotin were proportional to the effects seen in insulin secretion. There are no previous reports of vitamins, such as biotin, directly affecting ATP synthesis. Our data indicate that biotin enhances ATP synthesis in islets following the increased rate of substrate oxidation in mitochondria and that, as a consequence of these events, glucose-induced insulin release is reinforced by biotin.