Endocrinology
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Dysregulation of the adipoinsular axis in male obese Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF; fa/fa) rats, a model of type 2 diabetes, results in chronic hyperinsulinemia and increased de novo lipogenesis in islets, leading to beta-cell failure and diabetes. Diazoxide (DZ; 150 mg/kg.d), an inhibitor of insulin secretion, was administered to prediabetic ZDF animals for 8 wk as a strategy for prevention of diabetes. DZ reduced food intake (P < 0.02) and rate of weight gain only in ZDF rats (P < 0.01). ⋯ Islet fatty acid synthase mRNA (P < 0.03), acyl coenzyme A carboxylase mRNA (P < 0.01), uncoupling protein-2 mRNA (P < 0.01), and triglyceride content (P < 0.005) were only decreased in DZ-ZDF rats, whereas islet insulin mRNA and insulin content were increased in DZ-ZDF (P < 0.01) and DZ-ZL rats (P < 0.03). DZ-induced beta-cell rest improved the lipid profile, enhanced the metabolic efficiency of insulin, and prevented beta-cell dysfunction and diabetes in diabetes-prone animals. This therapeutic strategy may be beneficial in preventing beta-cell failure and progression to diabetes in humans.