2025 Volume 30 Issue 2 Pages 87-98
The o06 strain of Bombyx mori silkworms provided by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) NBRP possesses uric acid production capability but lacks the ability to transport/accumulate uric acid in dermal cells . We subjected these silkworms to glucose loading to create a pseudo-pathological model of hyperglycemia originating from hyperuricemia. Compared to mice and rats, this model possesses a uric acid metabolism system closer to that of humans, enabling evaluation of the efficacy of XO (Xanthine Oxidase) inhibition and HGPRT (Hypoxanthine Guanine Phosphoribosyl Transferase) activation in lowering blood uric acid levels. Furthermore, this model demonstrated blood sugar reduction and hyperglycemia improvement with human insulin and oral antidiabetic drugs. Moreover, this model suggested significant effects with various natural functional food components known to improve hemolymph uric acid and blood sugar levels. In this study, we used the o06 strain of silkworms, optimized their rearing and feeding conditions, along with the hemolymph sugar levels analysis method for this strain, to explore the potential of this novel evaluation model.
