Abstract
Aim: The BB rat model of type 1 diabetes exhibits altered body weight gain and body temperature
regulation prior to hyperglycemia onset, implying the existence of as yet unidentified
biomarkers of autoimmune processes that destroy pancreatic beta cells. To investigate
this hypothesis, we compared the metabolic profile of diabetes-resistant DR.lyp/+
rats and their diabetes-prone, congenic DR.lyp/lyp littermates in the days leading
up to diabetes onset.
Methods: Except for the Gimap5 mutation on chromosome 4, congenic DR.lyp/lyp rats are genetically
identical to DR.lyp/+ littermates. They invariably develop hyperglycemia at 46–81
days of age, whereas DR.lyp/+ rats do not develop diabetes. In addition to daily food
intake and body weight, indirect calorimetry was performed continuously on male DR.lyp/lyp
and DR.lyp/+ rats (n=6/group) for 6–18 days to measure locomotor activity, VO2 , VCO2 and RQ.
Results: DR.lyp/lyp rats exhibited a progressive decrease of RQ compared to DR.lyp/+ rats
0.005±0.001 units/day (p<0.005). Limiting the analysis to the six days prior to diabetes
onset revealed a larger decrease of 0.007±0.002 units/day (p<0.001) in DR.lyp/lyp
animals, whereas RQ of the DR.lyp/+ rats remained unchanged. This metabolic change
occurred prior to hyperglycemia onset and was not associated with changes of any other
parameter.
Conclusions: Diabetes onset in DR.lyp/lyp rats is heralded by a progressive shift towards lipid
oxidation relative to carbohydrate metabolism.
Key words
pre-diabetes - metabolism - biomarker - prediction of type 1 diabetes
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1 These authors contributed equally to this article.
Correspondence
Dr. L. Âkesson
Lund University/CRC
Department of Clinical Sciences
Ing 72, Bldg 91:10
University Hospital MAS
20502 Malmö
Telefon: +46/40/39 19 03
Fax: +46/40/39 19 19
eMail: Lina.akesson@med.lu.se