Cover Story Current Issue
In recent decades, the consumption of fructose in Western societies has surged to unprecedented levels, primarily driven by agricultural and industrial advancements in the production of sweeteners such as sucrose and high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS). This increased fructose intake has contributed significantly to the escalating prevalence of obesity and associated metabolic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes (T2D) and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD).
Current Issue
High fructose rewires gut glucose sensing via glucagon-like peptide 2 to impair metabolic regulation in mice
High fructose rewires gut glucose sensing via glucagon-like peptide 2 to impair metabolic regulation in mice
Objective
Increased fructose consumption contributes to type 2 diabetes (T2D) and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), but the mechanisms are ill-defined. Gut nutrient sensing involves enterohormones like Glucagon-like peptide (Glp)2, which regulates the absorptive capacity of luminal nutrients. While glucose is the primary dietary energy source absorbed in the gut, it is unknown whether excess fructose alters gut glucose sensing to impair blood glucose regulation and liver homeostasis.
Methods
Mice were fed diets where carbohydrates were either entirely glucose (70 %Kcal) or glucose partially replaced with fructose (8.5 %Kcal). Glp2 receptor (Glp2r) was inhibited with Glp2 (3-33) injections. Glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity, and gut glucose absorption were concomitantly assessed, and enteric sugar transporters and absorptive surface were quantified by RT-qPCR and histological analysis, respectively.
Results
High fructose feeding led to impairment of blood glucose disposal, ectopic fat accumulation in the liver, and hepatic (but not muscle or adipose tissue) insulin resistance independent of changes in fat mass. This was accompanied by increased gut glucose absorption, which preceded glucose intolerance and liver steatosis. Fructose upregulated glucose transporters and enlarged the gut surface, but these effects were prevented by Glp2r inhibition. Blocking Glp2r prevented fructose-induced impairments in glucose disposal and hepatic lipid handling.
Conclusion
Excess fructose impairs blood glucose and liver homeostasis by rewiring gut glucose sensing and exacerbating gut glucose absorption. Our findings are positioned to inform novel early diagnostic tools and treatments tailored to counter high fructose-induced metabolic derangements predisposing to T2D and MASLD.
Articles in Press
High fructose rewires gut glucose sensing via glucagon-like peptide 2 to impair metabolic regulation in mice
High fructose rewires gut glucose sensing via glucagon-like peptide 2 to impair metabolic regulation in mice
Objective
Increased fructose consumption contributes to type 2 diabetes (T2D) and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), but the mechanisms are ill-defined. Gut nutrient sensing involves enterohormones like Glucagon-like peptide (Glp)2, which regulates the absorptive capacity of luminal nutrients. While glucose is the primary dietary energy source absorbed in the gut, it is unknown whether excess fructose alters gut glucose sensing to impair blood glucose regulation and liver homeostasis.
Methods
Mice were fed diets where carbohydrates were either entirely glucose (70 %Kcal) or glucose partially replaced with fructose (8.5 %Kcal). Glp2 receptor (Glp2r) was inhibited with Glp2 (3-33) injections. Glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity, and gut glucose absorption were concomitantly assessed, and enteric sugar transporters and absorptive surface were quantified by RT-qPCR and histological analysis, respectively.
Results
High fructose feeding led to impairment of blood glucose disposal, ectopic fat accumulation in the liver, and hepatic (but not muscle or adipose tissue) insulin resistance independent of changes in fat mass. This was accompanied by increased gut glucose absorption, which preceded glucose intolerance and liver steatosis. Fructose upregulated glucose transporters and enlarged the gut surface, but these effects were prevented by Glp2r inhibition. Blocking Glp2r prevented fructose-induced impairments in glucose disposal and hepatic lipid handling.
Conclusion
Excess fructose impairs blood glucose and liver homeostasis by rewiring gut glucose sensing and exacerbating gut glucose absorption. Our findings are positioned to inform novel early diagnostic tools and treatments tailored to counter high fructose-induced metabolic derangements predisposing to T2D and MASLD.
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12th Helmholtz
Diabetes Conference
22-24. Sep, Munich
You are what you eat
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