Polysaccharides from split gill mushrooms (Schizophyllum commune Fr.) improve glucose metabolism and reduce muscleinflammation in a rat model of type 2 diabetes
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31989/ffhd.v15i8.1705Abstract
Background: Chronic hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) contributes to muscle inflammation and impaired glucose metabolism. This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effects of polysaccharides extracted from Schizophyllum commune Fr. (split gill mushroom) on glucose metabolism and muscle inflammation in a rat model of insulin resistance.
Methods: Male Wistar rats were divided into five groups: normal diet (ND), ND with 240 mg/kg body weight (BW) S. commune polysaccharides (ND240), high-fat diet-induced diabetic rats (HFD+DM), HFD+DM treated with S. commune polysaccharides (HFD+S240), and HFD+DM treated with metformin (HFD+Met). Blood glucose levels were monitored weekly for eight weeks. Muscle tissues were then collected for histological staining, ELISA, immunohistochemistry, and transmission electron microscopy to assess inflammation markers (TNF-α, IL-1β) and expression of glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R).
Results: Rats in the HFD+DM group exhibited elevated blood glucose levels, increased inflammation, and reduced GLUT4 and GLP-1R expression. Treatment with S. commune polysaccharides significantly lowered blood glucose levels, reduced inflammatory markers, and restored the expression of GLUT4 and GLP-1R, with results comparable to metformin-treated rats.
Conclusions: These findings suggest that S. commune polysaccharides may ameliorate hyperglycemia-induced muscle inflammation and enhance insulin sensitivity, supporting their potential as a natural therapeutic candidate for managing T2DM.
Novelty: This study demonstrates, for the first time, that polysaccharides extracted from Schizophyllum commune Fr. (split gill mushroom) significantly reduce muscle inflammation and improve glucose metabolism in a high-fat diet and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat model. The crude extract restored GLUT4 and GLP-1 receptor expression, decreased TNF-α and IL-1β levels, and preserved muscle fiber architecture, as confirmed by immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy. These findings suggest a novel therapeutic role of S. commune polysaccharides in ameliorating diabetes- related muscle dysfunction.
Keywords: Diabetes, muscle, polysaccharide, Schizophyllum commune Fr., GLUT4, GLP-1R
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