Pornrut Rabintossaporn¹, Nuntiya Somparn¹, Suphaket Saenthaweesuk¹, Atcharaporn Somparn², Atcharaporn Thaeomor³

Abstract

Purpose: To determine whether perinatal taurine supplementation enhances glucose transporter-4 (GLUT4) expression in the skeletal muscle of adult male offspring of rats born to diabetic mothers. Methods: Female Wistar rats (n = 9) were maintained under standard laboratory conditions with free access to food and water. Diabetes was induced in six rats via a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (50 mg/kg), followed by 20 % glucose supplementation for 24 hours. The remaining three rats served as non-diabetic controls. After diabetes confirmation, all females were mated with healthy males (3:1 ratio). From conception to weaning, pregnant rats received either 3 % taurine in drinking water (n = 16) or plain tap water (n = 16), resulting in four groups: Non-DM (n = 8), non-DM + T (n = 8), DM (n = 8), and DM + T (n = 8). Following weaning, only male offspring in each group (n = 8) were selected and maintained on a standard diet and water. At 16 weeks of age, fasting blood glucose, plasma insulin, lipid profiles, and skeletal muscle GLUT4 protein expression were assessed. Results: Male offspring of diabetic mothers exhibited significantly elevated fasting glucose and triglyceride levels and reduced insulin levels compared to non-diabetic controls (non-DM; p < 0.05). Perinatal taurine supplementation in diabetic dams significantly reduced triglyceride levels, increased plasma insulin, and enhanced GLUT4 expression in offspring skeletal muscle compared to non-diabetic (non-DM; p < 0.05) and diabetic groups (DM; p < 0.05). Conclusion: Perinatal taurine supplementation may mitigate metabolic disturbances in the offspring of female diabetic rats by improving insulin levels, reducing triglycerides, and upregulating GLUT4 expression in skeletal muscle.