Modulation of Glucose Metabolism by Balanced Deep-Sea Water Ameliorates Hyperglycemia and Pancreatic Function in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Mice

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of balanced deep-sea water (BDSW) on hyperglycemia and glucose intolerance in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice. BDSW was prepared by mixing DSW mineral extracts and desalinated water to yield a final hardness of 1000–4000 ppm. Male ICR mice were assigned to 6 groups; mice in each group were given tap water (normal and STZ diabetic groups) or STZ with BDSW of varying hardness (0, 1000, 2000, and 4000 ppm) for 4 weeks. The STZ with BDSW group exhibited lowered fasting plasma glucose levels than the STZ-induced diabetic group. Oral glucose tolerance tests showed that BDSW improves impaired glucose tolerance in STZ-induced diabetic mice. Histopathological evaluation of the pancreas showed that BDSW restores the morphology of the pancreatic islets of Langerhans and increases the secretion of insulin in STZ-induced diabetic mice. Quantitative real-time PCR assay revealed that the expression of hepatic genes involved in gluconeogenesis, glucose oxidation, and glycogenolysis was suppressed, while the expression of the genes involved in glucose uptake, β-oxidation, and glucose oxidation in muscle were increased in the STZ with BDSW group. BDSW stimulated PI3-K, AMPK, and mTOR pathway-mediated glucose uptake in C2C12 myotubes. BDSW increased AMPK phosphorylation in C2C12 myotubes and improved impaired AMPK phosphorylation in the muscles of STZ-induced diabetic mice. Taken together, these results suggest that BDSW is a potential anti-diabetic agent, owing to its ability to suppress hyperglycemia and improve glucose intolerance by modulating glucose metabolism, recovering pancreatic islets of Langerhans and increasing glucose uptake.

Natural Magnesium-Enriched Deep-Sea Water Improves Insulin Resistance and the Lipid Profile of Prediabetic Adults: A Randomized, Double-Blinded Crossover Trial

“…Previously, our studies on the antidiabetic effects of balanced deep-sea water (BDSW) have shown that hyperglycemia and glucose tolerance were improved by accelerating glucose uptake, along with the suppression of glucose production-related genes, and a recovery of pancreatic function in experimental animal models of obesity and non-obesity type diabetes mellitus [21,22]. Based on the efficacy of BDSW in cell and animal experiments, the clinical trial presented here was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of BDSW on glycemic and insulin-sensitivity parameters, as well as its safety.…”

Eye and skin irritation tests using deep sea water-extracted minerals

“…In contrast, the expression of glucose uptake-related genes in the skeletal muscle of diabetes mouse was upregulated by DSW treatment. Thus, LKB1, AMPK, and mTOR activation was restored by DSW (Ha et al 2014b). Another study indicated that DSW could attenuate hypertension and decrease lipid accumulation by the activation of AMPK/ACC signaling (Sheu et al 2013).…”

“…There are a lot of minerals, such as calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), vanadium (V), zinc (Zn), and potassium (K). Many studies have shown that DSW can be effectively used to treat diabetes, obesity, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension (Sheu et al 2013;Ha et al 2014b;Li et al 2014;Yang et al 2014). Mg supplementation improves myocardial metabolism and inhibits myocardial cell death.…”

Prevention and Therapy of Type 2 Diabetes—What Is the Potential of Daily Water Intake and Its Mineral Nutrients?

“…It is known from studies in mice, that oral magnesium supplementation increases the number of glucose transporters in the cell membrane of muscle cells; glucose can therefore be imported faster and more effectively [ 60 ].…”