biotin helps diabetic KK mice

Doug Skrecky (oberon@vcn.bc.ca)
Tue, 7 Jul 1998 07:50:42 -0700 (PDT)

Authors
Reddi A. DeAngelis B. Frank O. Lasker N. Baker H. Institution
Department of Medicine, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-New Jersey Medical School, Newark 07107-3006. Title
Biotin supplementation improves glucose and insulin tolerances in genetically diabetic KK mice. Source
Life Sciences. 42(13):1323-30, 1988.
Abstract
Because biotin treatment may lower blood glucose in insulin-dependent diabetes, we chose to study such an effect in non-insulin dependent diabetes. Twenty-six diabetic KK mice, moderately hyperglycemic and insulin resistant, were treated for 10 weeks: 9 animals with 2 mg of biotin/Kg, 8 with 4 mg of biotin/Kg, and 9 with saline (controls). Blood glucose levels, oral glucose tolerance, insulin response to oral glucose, and blood glucose decrease in response to insulin were quantitated. Compared to controls, biotin treatment lowered post-prandial glucose levels, and improved tolerance to glucose and insulin resistance. Serum immunoreactive insulin levels in biotin-treated mice were like the controls.