Multifunctional cyclic D,L-α-peptide architectures stimulate non-insulin dependent glucose uptake in skeletal muscle cells and protect them against oxidative stress

J Med Chem. 2013 Sep 12;56(17):6709-18. doi: 10.1021/jm4005225. Epub 2013 Aug 28.

Abstract

Oxidative stress directly correlates with the early onset of vascular complications and the progression of peripheral insulin resistance in diabetes. Accordingly, exogenous antioxidants augment insulin sensitivity in type 2 diabetic patients and ameliorate its clinical signs. Herein, we explored the unique structural and functional properties of the abiotic cyclic D,L-α-peptide architecture as a new scaffold for developing multifunctional agents to catalytically decompose ROS and stimulate glucose uptake. We showed that His-rich cyclic D,L-α-peptide 1 is very stable under high H2O2 concentrations, effectively self-assembles to peptide nanotubes, and increases the uptake of glucose by increasing the translocation of GLUT1 and GLUT4. It also penetrates cells and protects them against oxidative stress induced under hyperglycemic conditions at a much lower concentration than α-lipoic acid (ALA). In vivo studies are now required to probe the mode of action and efficacy of these abiotic cyclic D,L-α-peptides as a novel class of antihyperglycemic compounds.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Line
  • Glucose / metabolism*
  • Glucose Transporter Type 1 / metabolism
  • Glucose Transporter Type 4 / metabolism
  • Insulin / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Microscopy, Electron, Transmission
  • Muscle, Skeletal / cytology
  • Muscle, Skeletal / drug effects*
  • Muscle, Skeletal / metabolism
  • Oxidative Stress / drug effects*
  • Peptides, Cyclic / chemistry
  • Peptides, Cyclic / pharmacology*
  • Protein Conformation

Substances

  • Glucose Transporter Type 1
  • Glucose Transporter Type 4
  • Insulin
  • Peptides, Cyclic
  • Slc2a1 protein, mouse
  • Slc2a4 protein, mouse
  • Glucose