BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE:
γ-Oryzanol, derived from unrefined rice, attenuated the preference for dietary fat in mice, by decreasing hypothalamic endoplasmic reticulum stress. However, no peripheral mechanisms, whereby γ-oryzanol could ameliorate glucose dyshomeostasis were explored. Dopamine D2 receptor signalling locally attenuates insulin secretion in pancreatic islets, presumably via decreased levels of intracellular cAMP. We therefore hypothesized that γ-oryzanol would improve high-fat diet (HFD)-induced dysfunction of islets through the suppression of local D2 receptor signalling.
EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH:
Glucose metabolism and regulation of molecules involved in D2 receptor signalling in pancreatic islets were investigated in male C57BL/6J mice, fed HFD and treated with γ-oryzanol . In isolated murine islets and the beta cell line, MIN6 , the effects of γ-oryzanol on glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) was analysed using siRNA for D2 receptors and a variety of compounds which alter D2 receptor signalling.
KEY RESULTS:
In islets, γ-oryzanol enhanced GSIS via the activation of the cAMP/PKA pathway. Expression of molecules involved in D2 receptor signalling was increased in islets from HFD-fed mice, which were reciprocally decreased by γ-oryzanol. Experiments with siRNA for D2 receptors and D2 receptor ligands in vitro suggest that γ-oryzanol suppressed D2 receptor signalling and augmented GSIS.
CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS:
γ-Oryzanol exhibited unique anti-diabetic properties. The unexpected effects of γ-oryzanol on D2 receptor signalling in islets may provide a novel; natural food-based, approach to anti-diabetic therapy.