Studies with the mutation, diabetes, in the mouse

Dietary control of pathogenesis in C57BL/KsJ db/db diabetes mice

Weanling C57BL/KsJ homozygous diabetic (db/db) and normal littermate (+/+ or +/db) mice were maintained for 5 mon on isocaloric diets containing either 60% sucrose, 23% casein, 8% corn oil (diet C) or 0% sucrose, 83% casein, 8% corn oil (diet B). Diabetic homozygotes consumed more diet C than normals, but ate control amounts of diet B. Diabetic mice fed diet C exhibited 57% mortality between 4 or 5 mo of age. All diabetic mutants fed the carbohydrate-free diet B appeared healthy at 6 mo of age; mutant females were normoglycemic and mutant males were only moderately hyperglycemic. Histological examination of pancreatic islets confirmed the absence of islet degeneration. In diet B maintained mutants, increased carcass fat composition, plasma and pancreatic content of insulin and glucagon, and thymidine incorporation into islets, all established that the db gene was being fully expressed. These results indicate that dietary protein stimulates islet growth and function in db/db mice, while high levels of refined carbohydrate in the diet predispose islet beta cells to undefined changes that culminate in necrosis. Restricting mutants' intake of a carbohydrate-containing diet to one-half the caloric intake of normal mice failed to block onset of beta cell necrosis. Thus, dietary composition rather than total caloric intake appears to be critical in the induction of islet necrosis and atrophy in this animal model of genetically transmitted diabetes.

Constitutive hepatic glucokinase activity in db/db and ob/ob mice

The specific activity of hepatic glucokinase (ATP: D-glucose 6-phosphotransferase, EC 2.7.1.2) in db/db mice and ob/ob mice was higher than in normal mice. All enzymes had a similar Km and, thus, the difference in activity was not due to differences in the affinity of enzyme molecules to substrates. Mixing liver extracts with high or low enzyme activities yielded additive results, as expected, which ruled out the involvement of an inhibitor or activator of the enzyme. Fasting normal mice of either strain for three days decreased glucokinase activity. However, fasting db/db or ob/ob mice for as long as 10 days had no effect on enzyme activity, indicating that glucokinase in db/db or ob/ob mice was out of regulation or constitutive. The constant, abnormally high glucokinase activity may be a contributing factor to the obesity of ob/or or db/db mice. These mice provide a model system to study the regulation of this rate-limiting enzyme of glucose metabolism.

Lysosomal enzymes in experimental diabetic cardiomyopathy

The present study examines the role of cardiac lysosomal enzymes in the pathogenesis of the cardiomyopathy that develops in genetically diabetic C57BL/KsJ db+/db+ mice. Db+/db+ mice and littermate controls were sacrificed as age-matched pairs between 5-26 weeks of age. C57BL/6J ob/ob mice and littermates served as other controls. The hearts were excised, homogenized, and the following enzymatic activities measured: N-Acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase, N-acetyl-beta-galactosaminidase, beta-glucosaminidase, aryl sulphatase, alpha-mannosidase, alpha-glucosidase, beta-galactosidase, beta glucosidase, total p-nitrophenyl phosphatase, acid phosphatase and 5'-phosphodiesterase type IV. There is a progressive decrease in cardiac lysosomal enzyme activities of db+/db+ mice for the period 5-21 weeks of age. All enzyme activity is depressed significantly during the 9-21 week interval with beta-glucuronidase, aryl sulphatase and beta-glucosidase decreased about 40-50%. The decrease in lysosomal enzyme activity can explain the accumulation of large residual bodies and interstitial material in the myocardium of the db+/db+ animals

Role of Ca2+ in impaired insulin release from islets of diabetic (C57BL/KsJ-db/db) mice

The involvement of Ca2+ in the impaired insulin release of diabetic C57BL/KsJ-db/db mice was studied. Twenty-week-old severely hyperglycemic mice were compared to nondiabetic C57BL/KsJ mice as controls. Collagenase-isolated islets were maintained for 46 h in tissue culture allowing for equilibration at the same glucose concentration (8.3) mM). The insulin content of both types of islets was similar. In control islets preloaded during culture with 45Ca2+ glucose-induced insulin release was associated with increased 45Ca2+ effux. Islets from diabetic mice showed markedly reduced insulin response to glucose and a smaller increase in 45Ca2+ efflux. Because insulin release was strikingly potentiated by 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX), even more than in control islets, there was no generalized release defect. In both types of islets, IBMX potentiation was accompanied by a further enhanced 45Ca2+ efflux, possibly suggesting that cAMP effects are associated with increased cytosol Ca2+% concentrations. As Ca2+ uptake was stimulated by glucose in both types of islets, a defect may lie in the mechanism by which glucose uses cellulr calcium to raise cytosol Ca2+ in the beta-cell of these diabetic mice.

A new mutation (db3J) at the diabetes locus in strain 129/J mice. I. Physiological and histological characterization

A spontaneous recessive mutation appearing in strain 129/J mice at the diabetes (db) locus on Chromosome 4 has been characterized. The new allele, designated db3J, produced hyperphagia and severe obesity. Mutants weighed in excess of 70 g by 6 months of age, compared to 22-28 g for lean littermates. Although the disease was similar to the mild hyperglycaemia-severe obesity syndrome exhibited by db gene presentation on the C57BL/6J inbred background, the syndrome in 129/J mice reduced lifespan, with mutants exhibiting sudden weight loss, hypoglycaemia, and a 67% mortality between 6 and 14 months of age. Mutant males, but not females, were transiently hyperglycaemic between 2 to 4 months of age, attaining a maximum mean blood sugar of 196 +/- 27 (SEM) mg/dl. Thereafter glucose levels declined to normoglycaemic values (80-100 mg/dl), and with increasing age, mutants of both sexes became hypoglycaemic (60 mg/dl at 9 months). Mutants of both sexes were extremely hyperinsulinaemic at the earlier ages, with mean plasma insulin at months 5 reflecting 30-fold elevations above normal for males and 18-fold for females. These levels diminished with age, the decline being more marked in males. Plasma glucagon levels were 3-fold elevated in the younger mutants of both sexes (86 pg/ml versus 28 pg/ml in normal mice), mean levels increasing to almost 5-fold above mean control vaues in the older age group (198 pg/ml versus 41 pg/ml in normal mice). Histopathological findings were limited to pancreas. Increasing necrosis of the exocrine, but not endocrine, pancreas was noted in aging mutants. Aldehyde fushsin staining of the mutant pancreas revealed hyperplastic islets filled with heavily granulated B-cells. B-cell hyperplasia was accompanied by a 30-fold increase over controls in pancreatic insulin content in the 8 month old mutants, whereas pancreatic glucagon content was only doubled. Morphometric analysis showed less than a 2-fold increase in the mean number of A-cells per islet. Thus, an interesting feature of expression of the diabetes gene in the 129/J strain is the persisting hyperglucagonaemia in the face of moderating hyperinsulinaemia.

Peripheral neuropathy in mouse hereditary diabetes mellitus. I. Comparison of neurologic, histologic, and morphometric parameters with dystonic mice

C57BL/KsJ db/db inbred mice have an hereditary autosomal recessive disease resembling in some respects maturity onset human diabetes mellitus. At 8--11 months of age, they displayed intermittent symptoms suggestive of a mild sensory neuropathy. These symptoms consisted of adduction of their hind limbs and flexing hind paws when raised by the tail, and inability to maintain their position on the roto wheel. Peripheral nerves and sensory ganglia of the diabetic mice were compared with those of the unafflicted littermates and studied with respect to Schwann cell counts and myelinated nerve fiber diameter measurements. In addition, teased fibers of peripheral nerves were compared for obvious changes in internodal distance and demyelination. Chromatolytic neurons were moe abundant in lumbosacral spinal ganglia of diabetic mice than in corresponding ganglia of controls or in more anterior spinal ganglia and trigeminal ganglia of diabetics. Histologic studies showed an increase in Schwann cell counts in longitudinal sections of peripheral nerves. A similar but larger increase was observed in peripheral nerves of mice affected with an hereditary sensory neuropathy, dystonia musculorum. A small but general decrease in myelinated fiber diameter was observed in sensory and motor nerves.

Self-renewal of factor-dependent hemopoietic progenitor cell-lines derived from long-term bone marrow cultures demonstrates significant mouse strain genotypic variation

Long-term bone marrow cultures established from C57Ks/J mice have been shown to spontaneously release endogenous ecotropic RNA type-C virus (retrovirus). C57Ks/J marrow cultures produced granulocyte-macrophage progenitor cells (GM-CFUc) and immature and mature granulocytes for over 45 weeks. In contrast, NIH Swiss mouse marrow cultures failed to release detectable ecotropic virus and generated GM-CFUc and granulocytes for 25-35 weeks and established WEHI-3 conditioned medium (CM) dependent cell lines in vitro and did not establish permanent cell lines. To determine whether viral and/or cellular genes regulated the longevity of C57Ks/J marrow cultures, groups of cultures were established from the marrow of (NIH-Swiss X C47Ks/J) F1 hybrid, F2 hybrid, and (NIH Swiss X C47Ks/J) X NIH Swiss backcross generations. Release of endogenous ecotropic virus was measured weekly in each culture as was the duration of production of immature granulocytic cells and GM-CFUc over a 58-week period. The results demonstrated a complex pattern of inheritance of longevity of long-term in vitro hemopoiesis. Increased longevity did not absolutely correlate with detectable replication of the C57Ks/J N-tropic virus.

Chemical diabetes in the adult rat as the spontaneous evolution of neonatal diabetes

Injection of streptozotocin in newborn rats induced a severe diabetic syndrome on day 4 after birth, with acute hyperglycaemia and glycosuria. Over the next 3 weeks spontaneous recovery occurred as attested by normal basal blood glucose and plasma insulin levels. Recovery was, however, incomplete in the adult since a definite impairment in insulin release and glucose disposal was observed. This state was characterized by the following features: 1) a 72% decrease in pancreatic insulin stores without change in pancreatic glucagon stores; 2) a slight but consistent elevation of blood glucose in the fasted and fed basal states and especially of blood glucose 90 min after an IV glucose load (2 g/kg) performed under pentobarbitone anaesthesia; 3) a considerable decline in the glucose-induced insulin release with a decrease in the maximal response. Both early and late phases of insulin release were impaired, as indicated by in vivo glucose infusion experiments. Basal plasma glucagon levels were normal. Over a period of 12 months with a normal laboratory diet no aggravation of the chemical diabetic state was observed. This new experimental syndrome is a potentially interesting model for the study of the influence of environmental factors on the development of overt diabetes.

Ultrastructural and morphometric studies of delta cells in pancreatic islets from C57BL/Ks diabetes mice

An ultrastructural and immunocytochemical study was undertaken to elucidate the temporal and quantitative aspects of the changes occurring in the delta cells in the pancreatic islets of C57BL/KsJ db/db (diabetes) mice. Electron microscopy revealed that prior to the major topographical redistribution of delta cells from their peripheral location to the islet interior, long delta cell filopodial extensions penetrated into the islet, greatly increasing the area of surface contact between delta cells and hypersecretory beta cells. Coincident with delta cells redistribution in islets of 8 to 10 week diabetes mice, the mean number of delta cells per islet had increased significantly. In contrast, their volume density had decreased, indicating incomplete compensation for beta cell hyperplasia which had commenced approximately 4 weeks earlier. In the 14 week mutants, numbers of delta cells per islet and islet volume reached maximum values while delta cell volume density had been restored to a control level. Delta cell volume density exhibited a 2-fold increase in the mutants at 20 weeks that coincided with massive beta cell necrosis. However, a decline in the number of delta cells per islet (173.6 +/- 20.9 at 14 weeks versus 91.2 +/- 20 weeks) suggests that islet degeneration in terminal stages of the syndrome also includes some loss of these cells.

Intracisternal A-particles in genetically diabetic mice: identification in pancreas and induction in cultured beta cells

Sucrose density gradient analysis of purified pancreatic homogenates from glycaemic C57BL/Ks diabetes (db/db) mice and their normoglycaemic controls have revealed the presence in the diabetics of increased Mg++-dependent RNA-directed DNA polymerase activity sedimenting with a density of approximately 1.21 g/cm3. Electron microscopy revealed that this fraction contained typical intracisternal A-particles. Purified cultures of pancreatic islet cells 4--7 day old postnatal "misty diabetic" mice and normal siblings were established and then maintained in Eagle's minimal essential medium without serum. Under these conditions, the presence of intracisternal A-particles in beta cells of both mutant and control genotypes was very rare. No change in numbers of intracisternal A-particles was seen after 2--4 days of incubation in Dulbecco's-modified minimal essential medium containing 5.5 mmol/l glucose. However, when the glucose concentration of Dulbecco's medium was elevated to 16.5 mmol/l, ultrastructural changes specific to the beta cell population occurred that were reminiscent of those alterations observed in situ. Intracisternal A-particles were commonly seen in cultured beta cells showing hypersecretion-stress morphology. Since equal numbers of intracisternal A-particles were present in cultured beta cells from normal and mutant mice, it was concluded that the db gene itself was not required for intracisternal A-particle expression. The cell culture results suggest that elevated intracisternal A-particle activity observed in vivo may be produced directly or indirectly by the ambient high blood glucose levels characteristic of this mutant.

Endocrine pancreatic cells of postnatal "diabetes" (db) mice in cell culture

Ultrastructural characteristics as well as secretory and biosynthetic behavior of monolayer pancreatic cell cultures established from 4-day-old C57BL/KsJ misty diabetic (m db/m db) mice have been studied in comparison to normal littermate controls. Hypersecretion of glucagon by alpha-cells from BL/Ks misty diabetic mice after 2 days in vitro was found to precede any hyperfunction of the insulin-secreting beta-cells. The increased level of glucagon-release in BL/Ks cell cultures from diabetic mice was accompanied by a greatly enhanced level of incorporation of [3H]tryptophan into glucagon-like molecules whose specific radioactivity was up to 15-fold higher than that observed in cultures from genetic controls. The finding of an alpha-cell dysfunction in cultures established from preweaning diabetic BL/Ks mice suggests that glucagon could play an early role in shaping the events that culminate in the expression of frank diabetes in this inbred strain.

Obesity genes: beneficial effects in heterozygous mice

The mouse mutant genes obese (ob) and diabetes (db) cause similar obesity-diabetes states in homozygotes. These obesity syndromes are characterized by a more efficient conversion of food to lipid and, once stored, a slower rate of catabolism on fasting. Heterozygous mice, either ob/+ or db/+, survived a prolonged fast significantly longer than normal homozygotes (+/+); this suggests that the heterozygotes exhibited increased metabolic efficiency, a feature normally associated with both homozygous mutants. The existence of this thriftiness trait, if manifested by heterozygous carriers in wild populations, would lend credence to the thrifty gene concept of diabetes. Beneficial effects of normally deleterious genes may have played a role in the development of diabetes-susceptible human populations, as well as having provided the survival advantage that has allowed both the development and successful establishment of species in desert and other less affluent regions.

Membranous structures in pinealocytes of the infertile diabetic mutant mouse (C 57 BL/Ks-db/db)

The fine structure of the pineal gland of the infertile, diabetic mutant mouse (C 57 BL/Ks-db/db) has been studied. Light and dark parenchymal cells were observed. The major population of pinealocytes in these animals is characterized by an abundance of highly organized membranes located in both the cell body and cell processes. Pinealocytes containing these membranous structures have low electron density (light pinealocytes) and large amounts of perinuclear cytoplasm containing granular vesicles and extensive Golgi. Dilated cisternae of the membranous structures may indicate secretory activity or selective aggregations or raw material. Changes in granule and vesicle content of the central core of cytoplasm of the concentric-shaped membranes and their apparent migration from the cell body to terminal process suggest a synthetic or secretory role. It is not known whether the membranous structures are related to the infertile condition or to the hyperglycemic syndrome; however, the presence of comparable membranes in subterranaen mammals lends support to the theory that the structures may be involved in the synthesis of pineal compounds.

86Rb+ fluxes and K+-stimulated nitrophenyl phosphatase activity in the pancreatic islets of genetically diabetic mice (C57BL/KsJ-db/db)

Fluxes of 86Rb+ and hydrolysis of p-nitrophenyl phosphate were measured in collagenase-isolated islets of diabetic C57BL/KsJ-db/db-mice and normal controls (C57BL/KsJ-+/+). Both types of islets accumulated Rb+ avidly, as originally reported for hand-dissected islets of non-inbred ob/ob-mice. KsJ-db/db-mouse islets showed enhanced accumulation of Rb+ and normal activity of K+-activated nitrophenyl phosphatase. D-glucose, 20 mmol/l, inhibited Rb+ efflux in normal islets but not in those from KsJ-db/db-mice. The glucose insensitivity of Rb+ efflux was observed in young animals, which exhibit glucose-induced insulin release, as well as in old animals, which do not secrete insulin in response to glucose. The anomalous regulation of Rb+ efflux already present in young animals may bear on the liability of KsJ-db/db-mouse B-cells to develop defective control of membrane potential, an abnormal metabolism of cyclic AMP, and a marked failure of insulin secretory capacity.

Peripheral neuropathy in mutant diabetic mouse [C57BL/Ks (db/db)]

A new animal model for the study of diabetic neuropathy is presented. The homozygote (db/db) of the mouse strain C57BL/Ks shows severe diabetes with longstanding hyperglycemia. Electrophysiological studies showed severely decreased motor nerve conduction velocity. Morphometric examination of sensory and motor nerves at different levels revealed absence of large myelinated fibers, with morphological features indicative of axonal atrophy.

Genetic control of glucokinase activity in mice

Inbred strains of mice were surveyed for liver glucokinase activity. Mice of all strains studied could be distributed into three groups with high, intermediate, and low levels of enzyme activity. Genetic analysis using crosses and backcrosses with prototype high (C3H/HeJ) and low (RF/J) strains revealed that glucokinase activity was controlled by a single gene. The name "glucokinase" and gene symbol Gk are suggested for this gene. The Gka allele designates the strain with high glucokinase activity, while Gkb represents the allele in the strain with the low enzyme activity. The interaction of fasting and diabetes on the activity of glucokinase in these two strains is described.

Laboratory animals exhibiting obesity and diabetes syndromes

Spontaneous hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia and obesity are common features for at least one period of the lifetime in some strains of mice. Both genetic and environmental factors are involved in the pathogenesis of the diabetes-like syndrome, making these strains excellent models for studies in both obesity and diabetes-like states. The metabolic peculiarities can be due to a dominant gene, as for the yellow obese, or a single recessive gene, as in the obese and the diabetes mouse; or they can be of polygenic origin, as for the KK and the NZO mouse. However, the severity of the metabolic disorder is due to the interaction of the mutant genes iwth modifiers in the bat genes themselves. Studies on the pathophysiology and biochemistry of these animals have revealed interstrain differences, different patterns of development of the metabolic disorder, and different degrees of severity of the diabetes-like syndrome. Although the primary causes of the syndrome remain unclear in some strains, an involvement of hypothalamic feeding centers has been implicated.

Plasma corticosterone concentrations in diabetic (db) mice

Plasma corticosterone concentrations in diabetic (db) mice maintained on two different inbred backgrounds were found to be elevated significantly when compared to normal controls. These data are similar to that reported with the phenotypically similar obese (ob) mouse. These results suggest that the hyperadrenolcorticism is not related to the primary gene action of either gene but rather is a consequence of the development of the obesity-diabetes syndromes.

The influence of age on the development of hypertriglyceridaemia and hypercholesterolaemia in genetically diabetic mice

The effect of spontaneous diabetes on plasma lipids during the natural course of the disease was studied in genetically diabetic mice (C57BL/KsJ-db/db). Hyperlipidaemia developed uniformly in all mice studied and was found to be a characteristic part of the diabetic syndrome, as compared to normal littermates. The hyperlipidaemia was characterized by a marked rise in plasma triglyceride levels with age and severity of the disease increaing from 120+/-6 mg/dl at 5 weeks of age to 400+/-91 mg/dl at 19 weeks of age. In addition, db/db mice were observed to be hypercholesterolaemic as compared to age-matched normal littermates, The plasma cholesterol levels of diabetic mice were elevated early in the disease, as compared to control mice (200+/-6 vs. 130+/-7 mg/dl, respectively), and the mean level remained elevated throughout the period of observation.

Adrenal function in the diabetic mutant mouse (gene symbol dbm)

The adrenal function in diabetes mutant mice with misty coat colour (dbm) was investigated by measurements of serum corticosteroids, adrenal weights and adrenal corticosteroid content. Furthermore, the adrenal corticosteroid content was studied in obese-hyperglycemic mice (ob). In the dbm-mice the serum corticosteroid levels were elevated at the age of 5 and 12 months although the adrenal weight only was significantly elevated at the age of 5 months. The adrenal corticosteroid content was significantly lower in the 12 months old dbm-mice. In the ob-mice the adrenal corticosteroid content was elevated at the age of 5 weeks, 5 and 12 months. It is concluded that in both the dbm-mouse and the ob-mouse there is an increased functional activity of the adrenal cortex which may reflect a pituitary hypersection of ACTH, perhaps as a manifestation of a common hypothalamic disorder.

Cellular basis of insulin insensitivity in large rat adipocytes

The marked stimulatory effect of insulin on the conversion of 20 mM D-[6-14C]glucose to CO2, glyceride-glycerol, and fatty acid observed in small rat adipocytes was greatly diminished in large cells from older rats. Similarly, total glucose utilization as estimated by summing the total metabolites accumulated intracellularly plus the release of labeled CO2 and lactate was substantially lower in large cells in the presence of insulin and 5 mM labeled glucose. However, under conditions of 0.2 mM medium glucose where transport of the hexose into adipocytes is relatively more rate-limiting for subsequent metabolism, large cells actually utilized slightly greater total amounts of glucose than small cells in the presence of insulin. Increments of total glucose utilization due to both submaximal and maximal doses of insulin were similar in large and small cells incubated with a low glucose concentration. Under these conditions, conversion of labeled glucose to CO2 and fatty acid in response to insulin was somewhat diminished in large cells, while conversion to glyceride-glycerol was enhanced. The activity of the D-glucose transport system in large and small cells was estimated by monitoring initial rates and small cells was estimated by monitoring initial rates of 3-O-[3H]methylglucose uptake by a rapid filtration method. Transport system activity on a per cell basis was actually severalfold higher in large adipocytes in the basal state as well as in the presence of submaximal and maximal concentrations of insulin compared to small cells. However, the percent stimulation by insulin was less in the large cells. Uptake of 2-deoxyglucose under basal conditions and in response to insulin was also higher in large cells compared to small cells. Analysis of the accumulated label in extracts from fat cells incubated with D-[14C]deoxyglucose revealed the presence of free deoxyglucose, deoxyglucose-6-phosphate, and 6-phosphodeoxygluconate. The levels of these metabolites were significantly higher in large cells compared to small cells indicating hexokinase activity appears not to account for the defective glucose utilization in large cells at high glucose concentrations. It is concluded that (a) possible defects in insulin receptor components, the D-glucose transport system, and the coupling mechanism which links these entities do not significantly contribute to the apparent insulin-insensitivity of large fat cells and (b) the principal cellular defect which confers this blunted insulin response to large rat adipocytes involves one or more intracellular enzymes involved in glucose metabolism.

Susceptibility of mice to group B coxsackie virus is influenced by the diabetic gene

A positive correlation was found between genetic predisposition to diabetes in the mouse and susceptibility to group B Coxsackie virus in this host. Male mice of the inbred strain C57BL/Ks and the following genetic variants were used; mice homozygous for the autosomal recessive gene for diabetes (db/db), the phenotypically normal heterozygous (db/+), and the normal mice which lacked the diabetic gene (+/+). The mortality response of the +/+ mice to intraperitoneal inoculation with Coxsackie virus B4 differed from the response of the two genetic variants (db/db and db/+) derived from this strain. The db/+ variant was more susceptible to Coxsackie virus B4 than the parental background strain (+/+). The db/db variant was more susceptible than either of the other genotypes. Pathological findings of the pancreas of the three genotypes during the acute stage of infection closely paralleled the genotypically dependent susceptibility of the host.

Polyploidy in the pancreas of the normal and diabetic mutant mouse

The DNA content of endocrine and exocrine pancreatic nuclei of normal C57BL/KsJ and diabetic mutant C57BL/Ks-db/db mice was measured by Feulgen microdensitometry. The exocrine and endocrine pancreatic nuclei of the 4-week-old normal, 12-week-old normal, and 4-week-old (prehyperglycaemic) diabetic mutant mice contained diploid and tetraploid cells, while the 12-week-old (established hyperglycaemic) mutant contained diploid, tetraploid, and octaploid nuclei. The polyploidy in the endocrine pancreas of all these mice was confined to the B-cells, while the A-cells were always diploid.

Function of the pancreatic B-cell during the development of hyperglycaemia in mice homozygous for the mutations "diabetes" (db) and "misty" (m)

The function of the pancreatic B-cell was studied in relation to the development of the diabetic syndrome in a new variety of the diabetic mutant mouse, which was produced at The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, Maine, U.S.A. by outcrossing of a c57bl/ksJ-db stock with C57BL/6J mice. The expression of the db-gene in the resulting strain was evaluated by measurements of the body weights and the concentrations of serum glucose and serum insulin at different ages of the animals. In the diabetic mice the body weights increased rapidly between 5 and 25 weeks of age to a weight twice that of the lean controls. During the same time hyperglycaemia and hyperinsulinaemia occurred, the maximal serum glucose and insulin values being observed between 17 and 25 weeks of age. Later on the serum glucose and serum insulin concentrations gradually decreased. Islets were isolated with collagenase from animals 5, 10 or 20 weeks old, and studied with respect to insulin content, glucose oxidation and the secretion and synthesis of insulin. The results were compared with data from control experiments with islets isolated from non-diabetic littermates. No major differences were found between islets from diabetic and control mice with regard to the glucose oxidation rate, whereas an exaggerated insulin response to glucose was observed in islets from 5 weeks old diabetic mice. In the 20 weeks old diabetic animals there was a significantly decreased islet insulin content and a considerably lowered insulin biosynthesis.

Diabetes in the mouse due to two mutant genes - a bibliography

A bibliography is presented of work involving the two diabetes-producing autosomal recessive mutations in the mouse, db and db2j.

Influence of the mutation "diabetes" on insulin release and islet morphology in mice of different genetic backgrounds

Mice, 7-8-mo old, of the C57BL/KsJ-db strain and homozygotic for the mutant gene db, exhibited marked hyperglycemia and moderately elevated serum insulin levels. Light and electron microscopy provided evidence of a slightly decreased proportion of beta cells in the pancreatic islets, irregular islet architecture with intraislet ducts, and degenerative as well as hypertrophic changes in the individual beta cells. As a rule, islets microdissected from these mice did not release insulin in response to glucose, theophylline, iodoacetamide, or chloromercuribenzene-p-sulphonic acid. The absence of secretory responses was not simply due to lack of insulin. Although the islet content of insulin was decreased in C57BL/KsJ-db/db mice, the remaining amount was severalfold larger than that released from stimulated islets of normal controls. Another mutation, db(2J), an allele of db with identical phenotypic expressions in the C57BL/KsJ strain, was studied on the genetic background C57BL/6J. In contrast to the severely diabetic C57BL/KsJ-db/db animals, the C57BL/6J-db(2J)/db(2J) mice were characterized by highly elevated serum insulin levels and only moderate hyperglycemia. Their endocrine pancreas was enlarged and showed an increased proportion of beta cells. Like the islets of normal mice, those of C57BL/6J-db(2J)/db(2J) mice responded to glucose and chloromercuribenzene-p-sulphonic acid, the glucose-induced responses being potentiated by theophylline or iodoacetamide. C57BL/KsJ-db/db mice should provide a valuable model for studying defects in insulin secretion in relation to diabetes mellitus. Mice of the C57BL/6J strain offer a control material that may help to elucidate the dependence of the insulin secretory defect on the background genome.