L-cysteine, PIP3 and Insulin Signaling in Diabetes Abstract Diabetes have become an epidemic and remain a major public health issue worldwide. The primary purpose of this application is to discover the mechanisms by which L-cysteine (LC) supplementation improves glucose homeostasis in diabetic patients. Diabetic patients have lower blood levels of L-cysteine (LC), hydrogen sulfide (H2S), and glutathione (GSH). Supplementation with cysteine-rich proteins (whey protein and ?-lactoalbumin), LC, or N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) has been shown to lower glycemia in diabetic animal studies. However, the molecular mechanism by which LC increases glucose utilization and lowers glycemia is not known. Our study demonstrated activation of PI3K and inhibition of NF-?B in the liver and reduction in blood glucose in LC supplemented ZDF rats, a model of type 2 diabetes. Further studies using an adipocyte cell model showed that LC caused PI3K activation, PTEN inhibition, and an increase in PIP3 (phosphatidylinositol-3,4,5 trisphosphate) and glucose utilization in high glucose (HG)-treated cells. The effect of LC on PIP3 and glucose utilization was prevented by PAG (propargylglycine), an inhibitor of cystathionine-?-lyase (CSE), which catalyzes H2S formation from LC. Treatment with LC, H2S, or PIP3 increased the phosphorylation of IRS1, AKT, and PKC?/?,as well as GLUT4 activation and glucose utilization in HG-treated cells. These studies provide evidence for a novel molecular mechanism by which LC can increase PIP3 and upregulate the metabolic actions of insulin, thus improving glucose metabolism. This application will test the hypothesis that LC upregulates both the insulin dependent (PI3K/AKT/PKC?/?) and insulin independent (SIRT1, AMPK) signaling cascades of glucose metabolism mediated by PIP3 upregulation. The role of H2S and GSH in PIP3 upregulation will be dissected by using specific antisense approaches and specific knock-out mouse models (SIRT KO; CSE KO, which impairs H2S, and GCLM KO, which impairs GSH synthesis). Data will be analyzed statistically. The understanding and validation of the mechanisms by which LC supplementation improves glucose homeostasis and lowers glycemia should support the design of clinical interventions using novel molecules (containing sulfide and cysteine moieties) to improve glucose metabolism and prevent CVD in diabetes. The long-term goal is to discover a relatively low-cost dietary supplement that could be used as an adjuvant therapy for CVD prevention in T2D.

Public Health Relevance

Type 2 diabetes is associated with impaired glucose metabolism. The primary purpose of this application is to discover the mechanisms by which L-cysteine (LC) supplementation improves glucose homeostasis in diabetes. Our published studies and those of other investigators have demonstrated that oral supplementation with L-cysteine is very effective at increasing glucose metabolism and reducing blood glucose. However, we need to understand the mechanisms by which L-cysteine supplementation up regulates glucose metabolism. We will perform studies with diabetic animals. These studies will increase the understanding of and provide validation for the mechanisms by which LC supplementation reduces glycemia, which should in turn lead to the design of clinical interventions using novel molecules (containing sulfide and cysteine moieties) to improve glucose metabolism and prevent CVD in diabetes. Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is treated with diet and oral hypoglycemic drugs. Intensive blood glucose control dramatically reduces the devastating complications that result from poorly controlled diabetes. However, for many patients, achieving tight glucose control is difficult with current regimens. Thus, understanding o new mechanisms is needed for the development of a novel adjuvant therapy to achieve better control of glycemia and improve the lives of the diabetic patient population. The long-term goal is to discover a relatively low-cost dietary supplement that could be used as an adjuvant therapy for CVD prevention in T2D.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Center for Complementary & Alternative Medicine (NCCAM)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01AT007442-02
Application #
8911780
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZAT1)
Program Officer
Hopp, Craig
Project Start
2014-09-01
Project End
2017-06-30
Budget Start
2015-07-01
Budget End
2017-06-30
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2015
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Louisiana State University Hsc Shreveport
Department
Pediatrics
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
095439774
City
Shreveport
State
LA
Country
United States
Zip Code
71103
Parsanathan, Rajesh; Jain, Sushil K (2018) Hydrogen sulfide increases glutathione biosynthesis, and glucose uptake and utilisation in C2C12 mouse myotubes. Free Radic Res 52:288-303
Achari, Arunkumar E; Jain, Sushil K (2017) l-Cysteine supplementation increases insulin sensitivity mediated by upregulation of GSH and adiponectin in high glucose treated 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Arch Biochem Biophys 630:54-65
Achari, Arunkumar E; Jain, Sushil K (2017) Adiponectin, a Therapeutic Target for Obesity, Diabetes, and Endothelial Dysfunction. Int J Mol Sci 18:
Kanikarla-Marie, Preeti; Jain, Sushil K (2016) Hyperketonemia and ketosis increase the risk of complications in type 1 diabetes. Free Radic Biol Med 95:268-77
Parish, Roy C; Todman, Steven; Jain, Sushil K (2016) Resting Heart Rate Variability, Inflammation, and Insulin Resistance in Overweight and Obese Adolescents. Metab Syndr Relat Disord 14:291-7
Jain, Sushil K; Kanikarla-Marie, Preeti; Warden, Cassandra et al. (2016) L-cysteine supplementation upregulates glutathione (GSH) and vitamin D binding protein (VDBP) in hepatocytes cultured in high glucose and in vivo in liver, and increases blood levels of GSH, VDBP, and 25-hydroxy-vitamin D in Zucker diabetic fatty rats. Mol Nutr Food Res 60:1090-8
Kanikarla-Marie, Preeti; Jain, Sushil K (2016) 1,25(OH)2D3 inhibits oxidative stress and monocyte adhesion by mediating the upregulation of GCLC and GSH in endothelial cells treated with acetoacetate (ketosis). J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 159:94-101
Achari, Arunkumar Elumalai; Jain, Sushil K (2016) L-Cysteine supplementation increases adiponectin synthesis and secretion, and GLUT4 and glucose utilization by upregulating disulfide bond A-like protein expression mediated by MCP-1 inhibition in 3T3-L1 adipocytes exposed to high glucose. Mol Cell Biochem 414:105-13
Manna, Prasenjit; Jain, Sushil K (2015) Obesity, Oxidative Stress, Adipose Tissue Dysfunction, and the Associated Health Risks: Causes and Therapeutic Strategies. Metab Syndr Relat Disord 13:423-44
Manna, Prasenjit; Jain, Sushil K (2015) Phosphatidylinositol-3,4,5-triphosphate and cellular signaling: implications for obesity and diabetes. Cell Physiol Biochem 35:1253-75

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