The acute effects after administration of 3-O-Methyl-D-Chiro-inositol, D-Chiro-inositol and manganese, components of the pH 2.0 putative mediator of insulin action, on plasma glucose were examined in low dose streptozotocin-treated rats. 3-O-Methyl-D-Chiro-inositol at a bolus dose of 5 mg/kg decreased plasma glucose 6% at 120 min (p < 0.05). A higher bolus dose of 3-O-Methyl-D-Chiro-inositol (15 mg/kg) promoted a more persistent hypoglycemic effect of 22% at 120 min (p < 0.05). Infusion of 8.3 µg/min of manganese chloride lowered plasma glucose by 23% (p < 0.05). 3-O-Methyl-D-Chiro-inositol (15 mg/kg) together with manganese chloride (8.3 µg/min) promoted a reduction of 49% in 120 min (p < 0.05). D-Chiro-inositol at a bolus dose of 5 mg/kg had no effect. A single dose of 15 mg/kg produced a reduction of 21% (p < 0.05) in 120 min D-Chiro-inositol (15 mg/kg) associated with manganese chloride (8.3 µg/min) decreased elevated plasma glucose 47% (p < 0.05) in 120 min. D-Chiro-inositol coadministered with manganese reduced glucose concentrations during the final 60 min (p < 0.05). 3-O-Methyl-D-Chiro-inositol and D-chiro-inositol are components of the mediator structure. Manganese is also a presumed component of the mediator, having an important role in glucose uptake, insulin relase and mediator generation. These compounds have also been identified in the literature as hypogylcemic agents.
Key words
3-O-Methyl-D-Chiro-Inositol - Manganese - Insulin - Mediator - D-Chiro-Inositol
