Deuterium-depleted water stimulates GLUT4 translocation in the presence of insulin, which leads to decreased blood glucose concentration

Abstract

Deuterium (D) is a stable isotope of hydrogen (H) with a mass number of 2. It is present in natural waters in the form of HDO, at a concentration of 16.8 mmol/L, equivalent to 150 ppm. In a phase II clinical study, deuterium depletion reduced fasting glucose concentration and insulin resistance. In this study, we tested the effect of subnormal D-concentration on glucose metabolism in a streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rat model. Animals were randomly distributed into nine groups to test the effect of D2O (in a range of 25–150 ppm) on glucose metabolism in diabetic animals with or without insulin treatment. Serum glucose, fructose amine-, HbA1c, insulin and urine glucose levels were monitored, respectively. After the 8-week treatment, membrane-associated GLUT4 fractions from the soleus muscle were estimated by Western blot technique. Our results indicate that, in the presence of insulin, deuterium depletion markedly reduced serum levels of glucose, -fructose amine, and –HbA1c, in a dose-dependent manner. The optimal concentration of deuterium was between 125 and 140 ppm. After a 4-week period of deuterium depletion, the highest membrane-associated GLUT4 content was detected at 125 ppm. These data suggest that deuterium depletion dose-dependently enhances the effect of insulin on GLUT4 translocation and potentiates glucose uptake in diabetic rats, which explains the lower serum glucose, -fructose amine, and –HbA1c concentrations. Based on our experimental data, deuterium-depleted water could be used to treat patients with metabolic syndrome (MS) by increasing insulin sensitivity. These experiments indicate that naturally occurring deuterium has an impact on metabolic regulations.

Deuterium-depleted water delayed hormone therapy of prostate cancer

“…[2]. By now, the data confirm that the naturally occurring D has strong influence on a wide range of biological processes, like cancer development [3][4][5], ageing [6], memory [7], cell metabolism [8,9], and physical performance [10].…”

Deuterium Content of the Organic Compounds in Food Has an Impact on Tumor Growth in Mice

“…Malignancies are not the only chronic disease positively influenced by reduced D levels. A recent animal study proved that the optimal D concentration of blood for reducing blood sugar level in rats was between 125 and 140 ppm stimulating the GLUT4 translocation from the cytosol to the cell membrane [8]. The beneficial effect of D depletion was also confirmed in a human phase 2 clinical trial.…”

“…Later, results showed the complex nature of the effects of D in living organisms, such as a correlation between drinking water D level and susceptibility of humans to depression [5]; stimulation of long-term memory in rats by deuterium-depleted water (DDW) [6] or reversal of Mn-induced life span decrease in Caenorhabditis el-egans [7]. Regarding the role of D in cell metabolism, research results confirmed that deuterium depletion enhanced the effect of insulin on GLUT4 translocation in dose dependent manner, and potentiated glucose uptake in diabetic rats, resulting in lower serum glucose, fructose amine, and HbA1c concentrations [8].…”

Insulin and the kidneys: a contemporary view on the molecular basis

“…Evidence from experimental studies in murine models showing that exposure to impoverished water in deuterium (a stable hydrogen isotope) stimulated GLUT4 translocation in the presence of insulin, leading to a decrease in glycemia, was recently published. The data demonstrate a potentially positive effect of metabolic regulation on insulin resistance ( 5 ).…”

“…On the other hand, insulin acts at multiple sites along the nephron, from the glomerulus to the renal tubule, to regulate functions such as glomerular filtration and gluconeogenesis, which are determinants of blood glucose levels. Insulin also influences renal sodium transport, which has an impact on the water status of patients ( 5 ).…”