A Combination of Nutriments Improves Mitochondrial Biogenesis and Function in Skeletal Muscle of Type 2 Diabetic Goto–Kakizaki Rats
2008

Nutrient Combination Improves Mitochondrial Function in Diabetic Rats

Sample size: 12 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Shen Weili, Hao Jiejie, Tian Chuan, Ren Jinmin, Yang Lu, Li Xuesen, Luo Cheng, Cotma Carl W., Liu Jiankang

Primary Institution: Institute for Nutritional Science, Shanghai Institutes of Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Hypothesis

Does a combination of nutrients improve mitochondrial biogenesis and function in skeletal muscle of type 2 diabetic Goto–Kakizaki rats?

Conclusion

A combination of mitochondrial-targeting nutrients can improve mitochondrial dysfunction and reduce insulin resistance in diabetic rats without causing weight gain.

Supporting Evidence

  • The nutrient treatment improved glucose tolerance in diabetic GK rats.
  • Mitochondrial enzyme activity was significantly increased in the nutrient-treated group.
  • The treatment did not cause any significant change in body weight compared to the pioglitazone group.

Takeaway

Giving certain nutrients to diabetic rats helps their muscles work better and keeps them from gaining weight.

Methodology

The study involved administering a combination of R-α-lipoic acid, acetyl-L-carnitine, nicotinamide, and biotin to diabetic GK rats for 12 weeks and measuring various metabolic parameters.

Potential Biases

Potential bias in the selection of treatment groups and the interpretation of results.

Limitations

The study was conducted on a specific rat model, which may not fully represent human diabetes.

Participant Demographics

Male diabetic Goto-Kakizaki rats and age-matched male non-diabetic Wistar rats.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.01

Statistical Significance

p<0.01

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pone.0002328

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