Steviol glycosides enhance pancreatic beta-cell function and taste sensation by potentiation of TRPM5 channel activity

  • Koenraad Philippaert
  • , Andy Pironet
  • , Margot Mesuere
  • , William Sones
  • , Laura Vermeiren
  • , Sara Kerselaers
  • , Sílvia Pinto
  • , Andrei Segal
  • , Nancy Antoine
  • , Conny Gysemans
  • , Jos Laureys
  • , Katleen Lemaire
  • , Patrick Gilon
  • , Eva Cuypers
  • , Jan Tytgat
  • , Chantal Mathieu
  • , Frans Schuit
  • , Patrik Rorsman
  • , Karel Talavera
  • , Thomas Voets
  • Rudi Vennekens*
*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Steviol glycosides (SGs), such as stevioside and rebaudioside A, are natural, non-caloric sweet-tasting organic molecules, present in extracts of the scrub plant Stevia rebaudiana, which are widely used as sweeteners in consumer foods and beverages. TRPM5 is a Ca2+-activated cation channel expressed in type II taste receptor cells and pancreatic β-cells. Here we show that stevioside, rebaudioside A and their aglycon steviol potentiate the activity of TRPM5. We find that SGs potentiate perception of bitter, sweet and umami taste, and enhance glucose-induced insulin secretion in a Trpm5-dependent manner. Daily consumption of stevioside prevents development of high-fat-diet-induced diabetic hyperglycaemia in wild-type mice, but not in Trpm5-/- mice. These results elucidate a molecular mechanism of action of SGs and identify TRPM5 as a potential target to prevent and treat type 2 diabetes.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)14733
JournalNature Communications
Volume8
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 31 Mar 2017
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Animals
  • Blood Glucose/drug effects
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/metabolism
  • Diet, High-Fat
  • Diterpenes, Kaurane/pharmacology
  • Female
  • Glucosides/pharmacology
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Insulin/metabolism
  • Insulin Secretion
  • Insulin-Secreting Cells/drug effects
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Patch-Clamp Techniques
  • Sweetening Agents/pharmacology
  • TRPM Cation Channels/drug effects
  • Taste/drug effects

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