Molecular mechanisms of trehalose in modulating glucose homeostasis in diabetes

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is the most prevalent metabolic disorder contributing to significant morbidity and mortality in humans. Many preventative and therapeutic agents have been developed for normalizing glycemic profile in patients with diabetes. In addition to various pharmacologic strategies, many non-pharmacological agents have also been suggested to improve glycemic control in patients with diabetes. Trehalose is a naturally occurring disaccharide which is not synthesized in human but is widely used in food industries. Some studies have provided evidence indicating that it can potentially modulate glucose metabolism and help to stabilize glucose homeostasis in patients with diabetes. Studies have shown that trehalose can significantly modulate insulin sensitivity via at least 7 molecular pathways leading to better control of hyperglycemia. In the current study, we concluded about possible anti-hyperglycemic effects of trehalose suggesting trehalose as a potentially potent non-pharmacological agent for the management of diabetes.

Keywords: Diabetes mellitus; Glucose; Homeostasis; Oxidative stress; Trehalose.