Abstract
Background: Aspects of glycobiology have been linked to the pathophysiology of diabetes mellitus as sialic acids and its metabolic enzymes are associated with the disease. Aim: The present study was conducted to monitor the expression pattern of UDP-GlcNAc epimerase/ ManNAc kinase (GNE) gene (rate limiting enzyme for sialic acid biosynthesis) in selected organs or type 2 diabetic animals to provide insights into the course of increased serum sialic acids in diabetes. Method: Type 2 diabetes was induced using streptozotocin-fructose model and after 8 weeks, the mRNA expression levels of GNE gene was analysed in liver, brain, kidney, colon, spleen and pancreas of the animals, using quantitative PCR. Results: Decrease in body weight of the diabetic rats with high fluid and feed intakes were observed. Glycemia was significantly (p<0.05) above 300 mg/dL for the 8-week progression of the diabetic phase. The diabetic rats had a significantly (p<0.05) increased level (8.2 mg/ml) of serum sialic acid compared to normal rats (3.5 mg/ml). Furthermore, sialic acid level was elevated in the studied tissues with significant (p<0.05) difference in the colon, duodenum, kidney, liver and spleen of diabetic rats. However, the expression of GNE gene was decreased in the colon but increased in the pancreas (1.8-fold) of the diabetic rats while the expression level in the other tissues was not profoundly affected. Discussion: In conclusion, the impaired feedback inhibition mechanism of GNE gene may be associated to the increase in sialylation.
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