Rare sugar d-psicose protects pancreas β-islets and thus improves insulin resistance in OLETF rats

Rare sugar d-psicose has cropped up as a non-toxic and effective compound to protect and preserve pancreatic β-islets in the growing type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) rats through the regulation of glucose and fat metabolism. The present study was undertaken to examine the effect of rare sugar d-psicose on the protection of pancreatic β-islets using Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) rats, a T2DM model. Treated rats were fed with 5% d-psicose or 5% d-glucose supplemented drinking water, and only water in the control for 13 weeks. A non-diabetic Long-Evans Tokushima Otsuka (LETO), fed with water served as a counter control of OLETF. d-Psicose significantly attenuated progressive β-islet fibrosis and preserved islets, evaluated by hematoxylin–eosin staining, Masson’s trichrome staining and immunostainings of insulin and α-smooth muscle actin (SMA). d-Psicose significantly reduced increase in body weight and abdominal fat deposition. Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) showed reduced blood glucose levels suggesting the improvement of insulin resistance. All these data suggests that d-psicose protected and preserved pancreatic β-islets through the maintenance of hyperglycemia and by the prevention of fat accumulation in OLETF rats.

► Rare sugar d-psicose preserved pancreas β-islets in T2DM OLETF rats. ► Rare sugar d-psicose protected the pancreas from T2DM-induced fibrosis in OLETF rats. ► Rare sugar d-psicose maintained blood glucose levels in progressive T2DM in OLETF rats. ► Rare sugar d-psicose prevented body fat accumulation in the progressive obesity in OLETF rats. ► Rare sugar d-psicose reduced serum leptin level in T2DM OLETF rats.