Therapeutic potential of magnesium sulfate in improving duodenal homeobox 1 and PPARG coactivator 1 alpha genes to reduce pancreatic insulin resistance in F1 offspring of diabetic rats

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

2 Gerash Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Gerash University of Medical Sciences, Gerash, Iran

3 Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

4 Applied Physiology Research Center, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

10.22038/ijbms.2025.84255.18232

Abstract

Objective(s): The study aimed to investigate the role of magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) therapy in pancreatic insulin resistance (IR) in diabetic and non-diabetic rats and their F1 offspring following administration of a high-fat diet (HFD). 
Materials and Methods: Diabetes was induced in the subjects through a combination of HFD and a low dose of streptozotocin (STZ). The male and female diabetic animals were divided into three groups: diabetic control (DC), insulin, and MgSO4 (Mg) treated groups. One group of both sexes was kept as non-diabetic control (NDC) and fed a regular diet. Their F1 offspring were fed a regular diet for four months. Euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp (HEC) tests were performed on the parents and their F1 offspring. Blood samples were taken every hour during the clamp to measure changes in glucagon levels. Pancreas tissue was isolated, and the expression of pancreatic and duodenal homeobox 1(Pdx1) and PPARG coactivator 1 alpha (Pgc1α) genes was measured in all groups. 
Results: Treatment with MgSO4 or insulin decreased HOMA-IR, TyG index, BGL, ITT, HbA1c, glucagon level, Pgc1α expression, and increased glucose infusion rate (GIR), body weight, Pdx1 gene expression, and insulin level in diabetic parents and their F1 offspring compared to the DC group. These changes suggest a decrease in IR. Additionally, alterations in IR have decreased. Also, changes in the expression of these genes indicate a positive impact on the survival and regeneration rate of pancreatic β cells.
Conclusion: MgSO4 showed beneficial effects in treating glucose metabolism and improving IR.

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Main Subjects

References

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Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences
Volume 28, Issue 9
September 2025
Pages 1190-1203

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