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(Reference retrieved automatically from SciELO through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Low ethanol consumption increases insulin sensitivity in Wistar rats

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Author(s):
D.T. Furuya [1] ; R. Binsack [2] ; U.F. Machado [3]
Total Authors: 3
Affiliation:
[1] Universidade de São Paulo. Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas. Departamento de Fisiologia e Biofísica - Brasil
[2] Universidade de São Paulo. Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas. Departamento de Fisiologia e Biofísica - Brasil
[3] Universidade de São Paulo. Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas. Departamento de Fisiologia e Biofísica - Brasil
Total Affiliations: 3
Document type: Journal article
Source: Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research; v. 36, n. 1, p. 125-130, 2003-01-00.
Abstract

Several human studies suggest that light-to-moderate alcohol consumption is associated with enhanced insulin sensitivity, but these studies are not free of conflicting results. To determine if ethanol-enhanced insulin sensitivity could be demonstrated in an animal model, male Wistar rats were fed a standard chow diet and received drinking water without (control) or with different ethanol concentrations (0.5, 1.5, 3, 4.5 and 7%, v/v) for 4 weeks ad libitum. Then, an intravenous insulin tolerance test (IVITT) was performed to determine insulin sensitivity. Among the ethanol groups, only the 3% ethanol group showed an increase in insulin sensitivity based on the increase of the plasma glucose disappearance rate in the IVITT (30%, P<0.05). In addition, an intravenous glucose tolerance test (IVGTT) was performed in control and 3% ethanol animals. Insulin sensitivity was confirmed in 3% ethanol rats based on the reduction of insulin secretion in the IVGTT (35%, P<0.05), despite the same glucose profile. Additionally, the 3% ethanol treatment did not impair body weight gain or plasma aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase activities. Thus, the present study established that 3% ethanol in the drinking water for 4 weeks in normal rats is a model of increased insulin sensitivity, which can be used for further investigations of the mechanisms involved. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 98/03514-3 - Regulation of glucose transporter GLUT 4 in type 2 diabetes mellitus: role of resistance to insulin
Grantee:Ubiratan Fabres Machado
Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants