Abstract
Diabetes is a widespread disease, and its development and toxic effects on various organs have been attributed to increased oxidative stress. Metallothionein (MT) is a group of intracellular metal-binding and cysteine-rich proteins, being highly inducible in many tissues. Although it mainly acts as a regulator of metal homeostasis such as zinc and copper in tissues, MT was found to be a potent antioxidant and adaptive (or stress) protein to protect cells and tissues from oxidative stress. Studies showed that zinc-induced or genetically enhanced MT synthesis in the pancreas prevented the development of spontaneous or chemically-induced diabetes. Genetically or pharmacologically enhanced MT expression in various organs including heart and kidney provided significant protection from diabetes-induced organ dysfunction such as cardiomyopathy and nephropathy. These studies suggest that MT as an adaptive protein can prevent both diabetes development and diabetic complications. This mini-review will thus briefly describe MT ’ s biochemical features and then summarize the data on the protective effect of MT against diabetes and diabetic complications. In addition, the coordinative role of MT with zinc in the prevention of diabetes and its complications will also be discussed.
Keywords: Diabetes, metallothionein, antioxidant, diabetic complications, insulin-like action
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry
Title: Diabetes and Metallothionein
Volume: 7 Issue: 7
Author(s): Xiaokun Li, Lu Cai, Wenke Feng, Xiaokun Li, Lu Cai and Wenke Feng
Affiliation:
Keywords: Diabetes, metallothionein, antioxidant, diabetic complications, insulin-like action
Abstract: Diabetes is a widespread disease, and its development and toxic effects on various organs have been attributed to increased oxidative stress. Metallothionein (MT) is a group of intracellular metal-binding and cysteine-rich proteins, being highly inducible in many tissues. Although it mainly acts as a regulator of metal homeostasis such as zinc and copper in tissues, MT was found to be a potent antioxidant and adaptive (or stress) protein to protect cells and tissues from oxidative stress. Studies showed that zinc-induced or genetically enhanced MT synthesis in the pancreas prevented the development of spontaneous or chemically-induced diabetes. Genetically or pharmacologically enhanced MT expression in various organs including heart and kidney provided significant protection from diabetes-induced organ dysfunction such as cardiomyopathy and nephropathy. These studies suggest that MT as an adaptive protein can prevent both diabetes development and diabetic complications. This mini-review will thus briefly describe MT ’ s biochemical features and then summarize the data on the protective effect of MT against diabetes and diabetic complications. In addition, the coordinative role of MT with zinc in the prevention of diabetes and its complications will also be discussed.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Xiaokun Li , Lu Cai , Wenke Feng , Li Xiaokun, Cai Lu and Feng Wenke, Diabetes and Metallothionein, Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry 2007; 7 (7) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138955707781024490
| DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138955707781024490 |
Print ISSN 1389-5575 |
| Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-5607 |
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
Related Articles
-
Does Oral Metoprolol have Any Effect on the Functional Parameters and Perfusion Defects of the Left Ventricle?
Current Medical Imaging LPS In Patients With Left Ventricular Dysfunction Of Ischemic And Non-Ischemic Origin
Cardiovascular & Hematological Disorders-Drug Targets Biomarkers in Cardiomyopathies and Prediction of Sudden Cardiac Death
Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Inflammatory Mechanisms in Atherosclerosis: The Impact of Matrix Metalloproteinases
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Therapeutic Potential of Targeting Protease Activated Receptors in Cardiovascular Diseases
Current Pharmaceutical Design Prevention of Left Ventricular Remodelling after Acute Myocardial Infarction: An Update
Recent Patents on Cardiovascular Drug Discovery Effect of a New Class of Compounds of the Group of Substituted 5R1, 6H2-1,3,4-thiadiazine-2-amines on the Inflammatory and Cytokine Response in Experimental Myocardial Infarction
Current Vascular Pharmacology Microcirculation Dysfunction: A Possible Mechanism Responsible for Reverse Redistribution in Myocardial Perfusion Imaging?
Current Medical Imaging Outcome of Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction: A Multicentre Spanish Registry
Current Cardiology Reviews Using Extracellular Matrix-Derived Peptides to Alter the Microenvironment for Myocardial Repair
Current Vascular Pharmacology Beyond Adding Years to Life: Health-related Quality-of-life and Functional Outcomes in Patients with Severe Aortic Valve Stenosis at High Surgical Risk Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement
Current Cardiology Reviews Hypothyroidism and Endothelial Function: A Marker of Early Atherosclerosis?
Recent Patents on Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Drug Discovery Electrocardiographic and Cardiac Autonomic Indices - Implications of Sex-Specific Risk Stratification in Women After Acute Myocardial Infarction
Current Pharmaceutical Design Xanthine Oxidase Inhibitors the Unappreciated Treatment for Heart Failure
Cardiovascular & Hematological Disorders-Drug Targets Advances in Drug Discovery against Neglected Tropical Diseases: Human African and American Trypanosomiasis
Current Medicinal Chemistry Mucopolysaccharidosis Type II (Hunter Syndrome): Clinical Picture and Treatment
Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology The Role of a Human Hematopoietic Mesenchymal Progenitor in Wound Healing and Fibrotic Diseases and Implications for Therapy
Current Stem Cell Research & Therapy Light Chain Amyloidosis – Current Findings and Future Prospects
Current Protein & Peptide Science Biomarkers in Lone Atrial Fibrillation-An Additional ‘Fine Tuning’ of Risk?
Current Pharmaceutical Design Drug Uptake Systems in Liver and Kidney
Current Drug Metabolism





