Animal Cell Technology: Products from Cells, Cells as Products

Abstract

In the type 2 diabetes, it has become clear that reactive oxygen species (ROS) cause reduction of glucose uptake by inhibiting the insulin-signaling pathway in muscle cells and adipocytes. We demonstrated that electrolyzed-reduced water (ERW) scavenges ROS and protects DNA from oxidative damage1). Here we found that ERW scavenges ROS in insulin-responsive L6 myotubes and mouse3T3/L1 adipocytes. Uptake of 1-deoxy-D- glucose (2-DOG) into both L6 cells and 3T3/L1 cells was stimulated by ERW in the presence or absence of insulin. This insulin-like activity of ERW was mediated by the activation of PI-3 kinase, resulting in stimulation of translocation of glucose transporter GLUT4 from microsome to plasma membrane. These results suggest that ERW may be useful to improve insulin-independent type 2 diabetes.