Abstract
1-deoxynojirimycin (DNJ) is a natural D-glucose analogue and has a strong physiological activity in inhibiting α-glucosidase in vivo. The antidiabetic effects of DNJ in mice or other mammals were extensively explored, but the physiological and toxic roles of DNJ in insects was seldom reported. In this study, the biological effects of DNJ were examined in midgut extracts of fourth-instar larvae of Eri silkworm (Samia cynthia ricini, Saturniidae). Based on nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) metabonomics technology, we analyzed the alterations of glycometabolism, lipids, and energy metabolism pathways in the midgut of S. cynthia ricini caused by DNJ. Pattern recognition analysis (partial least square-discriminant analysis, PLS-DA) showed that four groups of latex, 0.25% DNJ, 0.5% DNJ and the mixture of 0.5% DNJ and latex (1:1) were distinctly different from the control group. Moreover, several metabolic pathways of DNJ-mediated modulation in the midgut were identified. Compared with the control group, alanine, succinate, glutamate, and fumarate concentrations decreased in three groups of 0.5% DNJ, latex, and the mixture, choline levels increased in two DNJ groups, and trehalose levels increased in all experimental groups. Therefore, these results suggest that DNJ modulated lipid metabolism by limiting the hydrolysis pathways of phospholipids metabolism. Additionally, DNJ has a potent negative effect on energy metabolism by inhibiting the hydrolysis of trehalose, glycolysis and the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle. Overall, DNJ, as a single-ingredient, is an efficient substance for modulating lipid metabolism and inhibiting energy metabolism.
Highlights
Mulberry leaves have been widely cultivated for rearing the silkworms, B. mori, from ancient times
We evaluated the roles of DNJ in lipid metabolism and its effects on phospholipid-metabolism-mediated metabolic changes in the midgut of Eri silkworm, S. cynthia ricini
We examined the effects of DNJ on protein and branchedchain amino acid (BCAA) metabolism pathway associated with metabolic disorders in the midgut of Eri silkworm
Summary
S. cynthia ricini larvae were purchased from the Sericultural Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang) and maintained at the Animal Experimental Center of Wenzhou Medical University (Wenzhou). Newly molted fourth-instar S. cynthia ricini were adopted in order to evaluate the effects of mulberry latex and DNJ. Castor oil leaves were consumed ad libitum by hatched larvae in the entire experiment. The experimental conditions in the animal laboratory were maintained as follows: the light-dark cycle of 12 h: 12 h, room temperature of 22 ± 3 ̊C, and relative humidity of 50~70%. Administration procedures for the silkworms were performed according to the handbook of laboratory animal care and use of Wenzhou Medical University.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
