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bioRxiv · 10.1101/2021.01.29.428823

Gypenosides modulate NCX calcium flux, insulin secretion and cytoprotection in BRIN-BD11 pancreatic β-cells

Patibandla, C.·Shu, X.·Shaw, A. M.·Dolan, S.·Patterson, S.
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Abstract

Gypenosides are saponins extracted from the plant Gynostemma pentaphyllum, suggested to have antidiabetic and anti-obesity potential. However, its mechanism of action is not fully understood. The present study aimed to investigate the cytoprotective and insulin stimulatory effects of gypenosides using the rat BRIN-BD11 {beta}-cell line. Gypenosides provided a significant cytoprotective effect against palmitate-, peroxide- and cytokine-induced cytotoxicity, with upregulation of antioxidant genes Nrf2, Cat, Sod1, and Gpx1. Acutely, gypenosides enhanced intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i) and insulin secretion in a dose-dependent manner. The presence of the sodium/calcium exchanger (NCX) reverse mode inhibitor SN-6 blocked the gypenosides mediated increase in [Ca2+]I but not the insulin secretion. These findings indicate that gypenosides may enhance [Ca2+]i by activating the reverse mode of NCX channels and a possible calcium-independent mechanism involved in their insulin secretion. Gypenosides also upregulate the antioxidant gene expression and protect against oxidative stress and lipotoxicity, providing the rationale for their observed antidiabetic actions.

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Patibandla, C., Shu, X., Shaw, A. M., Dolan, S., Patterson, S.. 2021-01-31. Gypenosides modulate NCX calcium flux, insulin secretion and cytoprotection in BRIN-BD11 pancreatic β-cells. https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.01.29.428823

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