Is exercise training effective in preventing diabetes mellitus in the Otsuka-Long-Evans-Tokushima fatty rat, a model of spontaneous non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus?

Pancreatic A-cell function in the partially pancreatectomized Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty rat, a model of spontaneous non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus

We examined whether a 70% pancreatectomy changes the morphofunctionality of pancreatic A cells in a model rat (Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty [OLETF]) with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Male OLETF rats aged 6 weeks were assigned to two groups: partial pancreatectomy (Px) and sham pancreatectomy (sham). The Px group was divided into three subgroups based on treatment received after surgery, which included treatment with nicotinamide, phlorhizin, or saline. As a control, their diabetes-resistant counterparts, Long-Evans Tokushima Otsuka (LETO) rats, were similarly treated and grouped. Six weeks after surgery, plasma glucagon responses to arginine- and insulin-induced hypoglycemia were examined. In addition, the glucagon content and morphological features of pancreatic A cells in Px-remnant and remnant-equivalent pancreata were investigated 7 weeks after surgery. A sustained nonfasting hyperglycemia was evident in Px OLETF rats, which was ameliorated by administration of nicotinamide. The glucagon content and A-cell mass were not decreased significantly in the remnant pancreas of saline- and phlorhizin-treated Px animals of either strain but increased in nicotinamide-treated animals compared with those in the remnant equivalent of the respective sham rats. The areas under the response curves of plasma glucagon (zigma IRG) during an arginine infusion test and 90 minutes of insulin-induced hypoglycemia were 1,010.7 +/- 72.9, 1,083.1 +/- 95.3, 1,029.6 +/- 65.0, and 1,779.8 +/- 226.9 pmol.L-1.min-1 versus 1,997.0 +/- 283.1,2,217.0 +/- 395.0, 1,479.6 +/- 78.0, and 3,466.4 +/- 174.0 pmol.L-1.min-1 in phlorhizin-, nicotinamide-, and saline-treated Px OLETF and sham OLETF rats, respectively. A similar trend was observed for differences in the response of pancreatic A cells to both stimuli among various groups of LETO rats. There was no significant difference in sigma IRGs during both tests between OLETF and LETO rats with similar treatments, except during an insulin tolerance test (ITT) in saline-treated Px rats. The magnitude of the plasma glucagon response to both stimuli in the test animals was roughly parallel to the glucagon content in the pancreas. These findings suggest that differences in the proliferation and responsiveness of pancreatic A cells between OLETF and LETO rats after a 70% pancreatectomy are not nearly as significant as compared with B cells.

Exercise training has a long-lasting effect on prevention of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus in Otsuka-Long-Evans-Tokushima Fatty rats

Exercise training has been shown to be effective in preventing the development of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) in a model rat (Otsuka-Long-Evans-Tokushima Fatty [OLETF]). For determination of how long a preventive effect of exercise training against the development of NIDDM lasts in this model, six male OLETF rats each were assigned to training (1) for a whole experimental period, from 7 to 28 weeks of age (E-E); (2) for the first half of the period, from 7 to 15 weeks of age (E-S); and (3) for the second half of the period, from 16 to 28 weeks of age (S-E). In addition, eight male OLETF rats were given no exercise during the experimental period (S-S). At 28 weeks of age, E-E, E-S, S-E, and S-S rats, weighed averages of 514, 542, 557, and 669 g and had abdominal fat deposits of 13.9, 21.3, 38.2, and 76.0 g, respectively. At 28 weeks of age, the cumulative incidence of NIDDM in S-S was 100%, while none of the trained rats were diabetic. The glucose infusion rate (GIR) during a hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp test, an index of insulin sensitivity, in the E-E group was significantly greater than that in the S-S group. The values in the E-S and S-E groups were slightly, but not significantly, less than that in the E-E group. Morphologic studies on the pancreas of E-E rats and S-E rats showed minimal changes of islets, whereas sections of islets from E-S rats appeared slightly enlarged and fibrotic, although significantly less than those of islets of S-S rats. These results demonstrate that the preventive effect of excercise training against the development of NIDDM lasts for at least 3 months after the cessation of exercise in this model.

Effects of voluntary physical exercise on high-fat diet-promoted pancreatic carcinogenesis in the hamster model

We examined the effect of voluntary physical exercise (running wheels) on pancreatic carcinogenicity of N-nitrosobis-(2-oxopropyl) amine (BOP) in groups of female Syrian hamsters fed a high-fat (HF) diet in which corn oil was 24.6% of the diet or a low-fat (LF) diet in which corn oil was 4.5% of the diet. Each group was divided into an exercising (EX) group (LF-EX and HF-EX) and a sedentary (S) group (LF-S and HF-S). All hamsters were treated with BOP (20 mg/kg body wt) weekly for two weeks beginning four weeks after the experimental diets, which were fed from weaning. A modified glucose tolerance test was performed before the BOP injections and then again at 20 and 40 weeks, and the levels of glucose, insulin-like growth factor I, and insulin were determined in the plasma samples. At the end of the experiment, serum levels of lipid metabolites were also examined in six hamsters from each group. The experiment was terminated 44 weeks after the BOP treatment. Pancreatic ductal/ductular adenocarcinoma incidence was significantly higher in hamsters fed the HF diet (HF-S and HF-EX) than in those fed the LF diet (LF-S and LF-EX). In all groups, glucose and insulin-like growth factor I levels remained within the normal range throughout the experiment, whereas insulin and lipid metabolite levels were significantly elevated in all hamsters fed the HF diet (HF-S and HF-EX). Exercise significantly reduced the insulin level in the group fed the HF diet but did not influence the cancer burden, possibly by the generation of reactive lipid metabolites. Overall, the results showed that voluntary physical exercise does not influence the promotional action of the HF diet on pancreatic carcinogenesis in hamsters. This action could be attributed to the ability of the HF diet to increase the secretion of insulin, which has a growth-promoting and mitogenic effect on pancreatic cells, and to the effect of an HF diet or physical exercise in producing excess free radicals.

Insulin resistance in skeletal muscle of the male Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty rat, a new model of NIDDM

The Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty rat is a new inbred obese strain with a late onset and chronic course of spontaneous hyperglycaemia in the male, and is considered to be a model of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus [1, 2]. Fat distribution analysis showed a typical accumulation of intra-abdominal visceral fat in Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty rats compared with a control strain, Long-Evans Tokushima Otsuka rats. To examine the insulin sensitivity of Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty rats, we performed euglycaemic hyperinsulinaemic clamp experiments in vivo in rats under anaesthesia on this strain and on Long-Evans Tokushima Otsuka rats. The Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty rats showed lower values for the glucose infusion rate (60% of the control at 12 weeks old and 20-30% of the control at 18, 24, 30 and 39 weeks old) than age-matched controls, indicating the development of insulin resistance with age. Hindlimb perfusion experiments in vitro also showed a 45% decrease of insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in Otsuka Long-Evens Tokushima Fatty rats in the diabetic stage. These results indicate that insulin resistance exists in the skeletal muscle of Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty rats. To obtain information on the mechanism of insulin resistance in the skeletal muscle of Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty rats, the insulin binding, autophosphorylation and tyrosine kinase activity of their partially-purified insulin receptors in vitro were compared with those from control rats. The results showed no marked differences in these insulin receptor functions between diabetic and control rats.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Which is the primary etiologic event in Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty rats, a model of spontaneous non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, insulin resistance, or impaired insulin secretion?

To identify the primary disorder causing diabetes mellitus in a model rat (Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty [OLETF]) with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), we studied the temporal relationship between insulin resistance and impairment of pancreatic beta-cell function. Groups of 28 male OLETF rats and male nondiabetic control Long-Evans Tokushima Otsuka (LETO) rats were given an intravenous (i.v.) glucose and glucagon tolerance test (IVGTT) and hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp tests at 10, 16, 24, and 40 weeks of age. After the euglycemic clamp test, abdominal fat was measured and the pancreas was examined histologically. At 16 weeks of age, insulin-mediated whole-body glucose uptake as measured by the hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp technique was significantly reduced in OLETF rats (glucose infusion rat [GIR], 40.9 +/- 4.2 mumol/kg.min) as compared with LETO rats (78.4 +/- 6.9). On the other hand, plasma insulin responses to glucose and glucagon in OLETF rats were higher than those in LETO rats at 16 and 24 weeks of age, but clearly decreased at 40 weeks of age (sigma immunoreactive insulin [IRI] to glucagon, 8.81 +/- 1.81 v 27.32 +/- 4.59 nmol.min in OLETF and LETO rats, respectively, P < .01). Abdominal fat deposition was significantly greater in OLETF rats than in LETO rats at all ages tested except 10 weeks. Pancreatic islets of OLETF rats became enlarged and fibrotic. These results demonstrated that insulin resistance preceded impairment of pancreatic beta-cell function in OLETF rats, and that insulin resistance seemed closely related to fat deposition in the abdominal cavity.

Effects of obesity and inheritance on the development of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus in Otsuka-Long-Evans-Tokushima fatty rats

We studied whether obesity or inheritance was the more important factor in the development of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) using female Otsuka-Long-Evans-Tokushima Fatty rats (OLETF) possessing one of the diabetic genes, ODB-1, and male Long-Evans-Tokushima-Otsuka rats (LETO) possessing no ODB-1, neither of which were diabetic when bred normally. Diabetes-resistant male LETO rats and female OLETF rats (4 weeks old) were assigned to three groups of 6 rats each, respectively; two groups in which obesity was induced by high calorie 'cafeteria' diet (D), or ventromedial hypothalamus lesions (V) with normal chow diet and a control group fed on normal chow (C). Six male OLETF rats were used as NIDDM positive controls. The mean daily energy intakes of obese male LETO and female OLETF rats were higher than those of the respective C groups. At 27 weeks of age, the average body weights of the obese LETO and female OLETF rats were significantly higher than those of the respective C groups and similar to that of the male OLETF group. Abdominal fat deposits of the obese groups were significantly higher than those of the respective C groups. At 28 weeks of age, the cumulative incidence of diabetes mellitus in obese LETO rats was 0% in group D and 17% in group V, while that of obese female OLETF rats in groups D and V were 100%. At 29 weeks of age, the plasma immunoreactive insulin (IRI) responses to glucose in obese female OLETF rats, groups D and V, were higher than that in group C. In obese LETO rats, insulin-stimulated glucose disposal in vivo was similar to that in group C, but in obese female OLETF rats, it was reduced to 41% in group D and 37% in group V of that in group C. Sections of islets of the pancreas of obese LETO rats appeared histologically normal, whereas those of obese female OLETF rats showed enlarged multilobulated fibrotic islets. These results demonstrate that obesity is necessary, but not sufficient alone for the development of NIDDM in these rat models.

Is caloric restriction effective in preventing diabetes mellitus in the Otsuka Long Evans Tokushima fatty rat, a model of spontaneous non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus?

Studies were made on the effectiveness of caloric restriction in preventing the development of diabetes mellitus in a model rat (Otsuka-Long-Evans-Tokushima Fatty; OLETF) with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). Groups of 8 male OLETF rats aged 5 weeks were supplied with rat chow ad libitum (100% group) and 85% and 70% of the amount of food consumed by the 100% group (85% and 70% groups, respectively). The average weights of the 100%, 85% and 70% groups were 617, 536 and 450 g at 19 weeks of age and their abdominal fat deposits were 50, 38 and 21 g, respectively, at 22 weeks of age when they were killed. At 20 weeks of age, the cumulative incidences of diabetes mellitus in the 100%, 85% and 70% groups were 67%, 13% and zero, respectively. The plasma immunoreactive insulin (IRI) levels 60 and 120 min after oral glucose administration were significantly lower in the 70% group than in the other groups. In vivo insulin-stimulated glucose uptake measured by a euglycemic clamp technique, was significantly higher in the 70% group than in the 100% group. There was no significant difference in the glucose transporter 4 protein levels of skeletal muscles in the three groups, but the highest ratio of glucose transporter 4 in the plasma membrane to that in intracellular membranes was observed in the 70% group. Morphological studies on the pancreas of rats in the 100% group showed enlarged multilobulated fibrotic islets, whereas sections of islets of rats in the other groups appeared normal, though slightly enlarged. These results demonstrate that caloric restriction is effective in preventing NIDDM in diabetes-prone rats, probably due to increased insulin sensitivity.

Exercise therapy in Japan

The purpose of this report is to outline the exercise therapy of diabetes mellitus that has been administered in Japan during the past 10 years, with special emphasis on the results of studies on metabolic effects as well as on practical aspects of exercise therapy. The studies on the response to exercise clarified neuroendocrine mechanisms involved in the regulation of carbohydrate and fat metabolism in exercise and provided a basis for the indication of exercise therapy in view of the pre-existing metabolic abnormalities. Concerning the training effects, changes of insulin sensitivity have been chiefly studied in relation to metabolic improvement by physical training using the insulin clamp method. The improvement of glucose and lipid metabolism obtained during the training program, consisting of fast walking or jogging corresponding to 40-60% of predictive VO2 max for 30-60 min daily, was suggested to be related to improved insulin sensitivity in patients with NIDDM. Intensive studies have been made on exercise programs, and medical checks and guidelines for exercise prescription have been provided. Aerobic exercises with stretching and low-level callisthenics are recommended, and the usefulness of a multi-stage exercise loading test and the necessity of self-monitoring of blood glucose are stressed for the successful management of exercise therapy.

Sexual difference in the incidence of diabetes mellitus in Otsuka-Long-Evans-Tokushima-Fatty rats: effects of castration and sex hormone replacement on its incidence

The incidence of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus in a model rat (Otsuka-Long-Evans-Tokushima Fatty [OLETF]) has been shown to be much higher in males than in females. To evaluate the role of sex hormones in the development of diabetes in this model, we performed biochemical and morphological studies on the effects of castration and sex hormones on the development of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus in these rats. The rats were randomly assigned to six groups of 10 rats each, three groups of males and three of females. Two of the male groups and two of the female groups were castrated at 5 weeks of age, and the third male and female groups received sham operations. From 9 to 30 weeks of age, one group of castrated males received testosterone enanthate (1 mg-wk-1) and one group of castrated females received estradiol valerate (1 mg.wk-1). The other castrated groups received an equal volume of vehicle only. At 30 weeks of age, the cumulative incidences of diabetes mellitus in the sham-operated male and female rats were 100% and 0%, respectively. Orchiectomy reduced the incidence of diabetes to 20%, whereas ovariectomy increased it to 30%. Administration of sex hormones restored the incidence to 89% in males and 0% in females. In vivo insulin-stimulated glucose uptake as measured with a euglycemic clamp was reduced in sham-operated males, castrated males with hormone replacement (HR), and castrated females without HR as compared with sham-operated females and castrated females with HR.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effects of difference in amount of exercise training on prevention of diabetes mellitus in the Otsuka-Long-Evans-Tokushima fatty rats, a model of spontaneous non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus

Exercise training every day has been shown to be effective in preventing the development of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) in a model rat (Otsuka Long Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF)). For determination of whether less vigorous exercise training also has a protective effect against the development of NIDDM in this model, seven male OLETF rats each were assigned to training every other day, every 3 days and every 7 days from 6 to 30 weeks of age. At 30 weeks of age, rats trained every other day, 3 days, 7 days and sedentary rats weighed averages of 547, 548, 603 and 695 g and had abdominal fat deposits of 28, 24, 32 and 72 g, respectively. The mean meterages of running of rats trained every other day, 3 days and 7 days over the whole experimental period were 9630, 5166 and 1685 m/week, respectively. At 30 weeks of age, the cumulative incidence of NIDDM in sedentary rats was 85.7% (6/7), while none of the trained rats became diabetic except for one of rats trained every 7 days. The glucose infusion rate (GIR), an index of insulin sensitivity, in the group trained every 7 days, 60.6 +/- 5.0 mumol.kg-1.min-1, was significantly greater than that in the sedentary group, 21.7 +/- 1.7 mumol.kg-1.min-1. Morphological studies on the pancreas of rats trained every other day and every 3 days showed minimal changes of islets, whereas sections of islets from rats trained every 7 days appeared enlarged and fibrotic, though significantly less so than the islets of sedentary rats.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)