Lentinan protects against pancreatic β-cell failure in chronic ethanol consumption-induced diabetic mice via enhancing β-cell antioxidant capacity

• Published in: Journal of cellular and molecular medicine 2021-07, Vol.25 (13), p.6161-6173
• Main Authors: Wu, Tijun, Wang, Jiahui, Zhang, Yaru, Shao, Yixue, Li, Xirui, Guo, Yuqing, Dong, Wenyu, Wang, Lin, Chen, Fang, Han, Xiao
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Original
• ISSN: 1582-1838; 1582-4934
• DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.16529

Chronic ethanol consumption is a well-established independent risk factor for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Recently, increasing studies have confirmed that excessive heavy ethanol exerts direct harmful effect on pancreatic β-cell mass and function, which may be a mechanism of pancreatic β-cell failure in T2DM. In this study, we evaluated the effect of Lentinan (LNT), an active ingredient purified from the bodies of Lentinus edodes, on pancreatic β-cell apoptosis and dysfunction caused by ethanol and the possible mechanisms implicated. Functional studies reveal that LNT attenuates chronic ethanol consumption-induced impaired glucose metabolism in vivo. In addition, LNT ameliorates chronic ethanol consumption-induced β-cell dysfunction, which is characterized by reduced insulin synthesis, defected insulin secretion and increased cell apoptosis. Furthermore, mechanistic assays suggest that LNT enhances β-cell antioxidant capacity and ameliorates ethanol-induced oxidative stress by activating Nrf-2 antioxidant pathway. Our results demonstrated that LNT prevents ethanol-induced pancreatic β-cell dysfunction and apoptosis, and therefore may be a potential pharmacological agent for preventing pancreatic β-cell failure associated with T2DM and stress-induced diabetes.