Horm Metab Res 2000; 32(4): 129-132
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-978606
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© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Antihyperglycemic Effects of 3-O-Methyl-D-Chiro-Inositol and D-Chiro-Inositol Associated with Manganese in Streptozotocin Diabetic Rats

M. C. Fonteles1 , 2 , M. Q. Almeida1 , J. Larner2
  • 1Clinical Research Unit, Federal University of Ceara/UECe, National Research Council (CNPq), Fortaleza, Ceara, Brazil
  • 2Department of Internal Medicine and Pharmacology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
Further Information

Publication History

1999

1999

Publication Date:
19 April 2007 (online)

The acute effects after administration of 3-O-Methyl-D-Chiro-inositol, D-Chiro-inositol and manganese, components of the pH 2.0 putative mediator of insulin action, on plasma glucose were examined in low dose streptozotocin-treated rats. 3-O-Methyl-D-Chiro-inositol at a bolus dose of 5 mg/kg decreased plasma glucose 6% at 120 min (p < 0.05). A higher bolus dose of 3-O-Methyl-D-Chiro-inositol (15 mg/kg) promoted a more persistent hypoglycemic effect of 22% at 120 min (p < 0.05). Infusion of 8.3 µg/min of manganese chloride lowered plasma glucose by 23% (p < 0.05). 3-O-Methyl-D-Chiro-inositol (15 mg/kg) together with manganese chloride (8.3 µg/min) promoted a reduction of 49% in 120 min (p < 0.05). D-Chiro-inositol at a bolus dose of 5 mg/kg had no effect. A single dose of 15 mg/kg produced a reduction of 21% (p < 0.05) in 120 min D-Chiro-inositol (15 mg/kg) associated with manganese chloride (8.3 µg/min) decreased elevated plasma glucose 47% (p < 0.05) in 120 min. D-Chiro-inositol coadministered with manganese reduced glucose concentrations during the final 60 min (p < 0.05). 3-O-Methyl-D-Chiro-inositol and D-chiro-inositol are components of the mediator structure. Manganese is also a presumed component of the mediator, having an important role in glucose uptake, insulin relase and mediator generation. These compounds have also been identified in the literature as hypogylcemic agents.