AD-MSCs alleviate hyperglycemia through promoting hepatic glycolysis in type 2 diabetic rats

Objective To evaluate the temporary hypoglycemic effect of adipose mesenchymal stem cells (AD-MSCs) on type 2 diabetic rats, and further discuss the mechanisms of AD-MSCs regulating blood glucose through hepatic glycometabolism. Methods The type 2 diabetic rat model was established by intraperitoneal injection of a single small dose of streptozotocin (STZ, 25mg/kg) after a high-fat diet for 8 weeks. The content of blood glucose was determined by tail vein bleeding at indicated time points (0h, 3h, 6h, 12h, 24h) after infusion of AD-MSCs, concurrently the rats were executed and the liver tissues were collected (diabetes group, n=5, normal group, n=3) for detecting the mRNA and protein expressions of glucokinase (GK), pyruvate kinase (PK) and phosphofructokinase (PFK) (the key enzyme of glycolysis) by real-time qPCR and Western blotting. Results The infusion of AD-MSCs significantly decreased blood glucose in a short period [30.55±1.49mmol/L(0h), 18.90±0.85mmol/ L(3h), 23.70±1.13mmol/L(6h), 21.90±1.00mmol/L(12h), respectively]. PCR results showed that the expressions of GK and PFK increased in the liver tissue of type 2 diabetic rats 3h after AD-MSCs infusion, and the expression of PK increased significantly 6h after AD-MSCs infusion (P