Effect of diphenylhydantoin on patterns of insulin secretion in obese subjects

Regulation of hepatic energy metabolism by the nuclear receptor PXR

The pregnane X receptor (PXR) is a nuclear receptor that is traditionally thought to be specialized for sensing xenobiotic exposure. In concurrence with this feature PXR was originally identified to regulate drug-metabolizing enzymes and transporters. During the last ten years it has become clear that PXR harbors broader functions. Evidence obtained both in experimental animals and humans indicate that ligand-activated PXR regulates hepatic glucose and lipid metabolism and affects whole body metabolic homeostasis. Currently, the consequences of PXR activation on overall metabolic health are not yet fully understood and varying results on the effect of PXR activation or knockout on metabolic disorders and weight gain have been published in mouse models. Rifampicin and St. John's wort, the prototypical human PXR agonists, impair glucose tolerance in healthy volunteers. Chronic exposure to PXR agonists could potentially represent a risk factor for diabetes and metabolic syndrome. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Xenobiotic nuclear receptors: New Tricks for An Old Dog, edited by Dr. Wen Xie.

Effects of single large doses of phenytoin on glucose homeostasis--a preliminary report

The effects of a loading dose of 15 mg/kg phenytoin by iv infusion on the serum levels of insulin, glucagon, and glucose were investigated in five fasting healthy male volunteers between the ages of 23 and 35 years. Serum glucose concentrations rose immediately after the infusion of phenytoin followed by a significant increase in serum insulin values (P less than 0.05). A slight elevation in mean glucagon concentrations after the infusion was not statistically significant. Further studies are indicated to determine whether phenytoin as used in the treatment of status epilepticus may aggravate the hyperglycemia associated with seizures.

Influence of diphenylhydantoin on lysosomal enzyme release during bone resorption in vitro

The effect of diphenylhydantoin (DPH) on the release of lysosomal enzymes during resorption of cultured mouse calvarial bone was studied. The enzyme activities of beta-glucuronidase and beta-galactosidase in the culture medium was taken as indicators for lysosomal enzyme release. In concentrations 50 micrograms/ml or higher, DPH inhibited the release of beta-glucuronidase and beta-galactosidase in parallel with bone resorption as indicated by reduced release of 45Ca, Ca2+, Pi and hydroxyproline. The release of the cytosolic enzyme lactate dehydrogenase was not influenced by concentrations of DPH up to 50 micrograms/ml but higher concentrations caused an increased release indicating cell injury. When bone resorption was stimulated by prostaglandin E2, DPH (50 micrograms/ml) also reduced the mobilization of bone mineral and the release of beta-glucuronidase without influencing the release of lactate dehydrogenase. It is suggested that DPH by interfering with cellular release processes reduces the resorption of bone.