Retinoid metabolism and diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Retinoid acid is a metabolite of vitamin A and functions as an important factor in cell survival, differentiation and death. Most previous studies on retinoid metabolism have focused on its association with cancer, hematologic and dermatologic disorders. Given the special concern over the recent increase in the prevalence of diabetes worldwide, the role of retinoid metabolism on glucose metabolism and insulin resistance in the human body is of marked importance. Therefore, in this issue, we review the literature on the association of retinoid metabolism with glucose tolerance, with regard to insulin secretion, pancreatic autoimmunity, insulin sensitivity and lipid metabolism. Further, we tried to assess the possibility of using retinoids as a novel therapeutic strategy for diabetes.

Keywords: Diabetes mellitus; Retinoid; Rexinoid.

Fig. 1

The chemical structures of retinoids.

Fig. 2

The retinoid metabolic pathway. CRBP, cellular retinol binding protein; RBP, retinol binding protein; TTR, transthyretin; BCO-I, β,β-carotene-15,15'-monooxygenase; BCO-II, β,β-carotene-9',10'-dioxygenase; CRABP, cellular retinoic acid binding protein; ADH, alcohol dehydrogenase; SDR, short-chain dehydrogenases/reductases; Raldh, retinaldehyde dehydrogenase; CYP26, cytochrome P450 family 26; HAT, histone acetyltransferase; RXR, retinoid X receptor; RAR, retinoic acid receptor; HDAC, histone deacetylase.

Fig. 3

The effects of retinoids on glucose metabolism. RBP, retinol binding protein; ROH, retinol; STRA6; retinoic acid gene 6; RA, retinoic acid; RXR, retinoid X receptor; atRA, all-trans retinoic acid; 9cRA, 9-cis retinoic acid; Raldh3, retinaldehyde dehydrogenase 3.