2017 Volume 70 Issue 5 Pages 225-230
Pancreatic β-cells play a pivotal role in glucose metabolism through secretion of insulin in response to glucose concentration. In order to prevent type 2 diabetes mellitus, it is important to maintain the secretion of insulin from β-cells. An attractive option to prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes is the use of food or supplements that improve β-cell function. In this study, a bioactive food supplement was examined to determine its effect on cultured β-cells, isolated mouse pancreatic islets, and mice. S-Equol (7-hydroxy-3- (4′-hydroxyphenyl) chroman) is produced by gut microbiota from the isoflavone daidzein, which is found in Pueraria montana (Kudzu) root or Glycine max (soybean) . S-Equol enhanced the proliferation and insulin secretion of β-cells and decreased their susceptibility to oxidative stress by activating protein A signaling in an enantioselective manner. These effects were stronger with S-equol than with daidzein. These results indicate that S-equol boosts β-cell function, suggesting that it may help to prevent type 2 diabetes mellitus.
