Loss of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 leads to impaired glucose homeostasis in mice

Endocrine. 2008 Aug-Dec;34(1-3):56-61. doi: 10.1007/s12020-008-9110-x. Epub 2008 Oct 28.

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the role of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) in regulating glucose homeostasis. Immunohistochemistry was used to investigate ACE2 expression in the pancreas. Glucose tolerance test, insulin secretion test, and insulin tolerance test were performed in age-matched male ACE2 knockout (KO) and wild-type (WT) mice. We found that ACE2 was positively expressed in the pancreas. Male ACE2 KO mice displayed a selective decrease in first-phase insulin secretion in response to glucose and a progressive impairment of glucose tolerance compared with age- and sex-matched WT mice. On the other hand, insulin sensitivity of the peripheral tissue in age-matched ACE2 KO and WT mice showed no difference. These findings suggest that ACE2 might play an important role in glucose homeostasis as well as type 2 diabetes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2
  • Animals
  • Blood Glucose / metabolism
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / genetics
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / metabolism
  • Female
  • Gene Deletion
  • Glucose / metabolism
  • Glucose Clamp Technique
  • Glucose Intolerance / genetics*
  • Glucose Tolerance Test
  • Homeostasis / genetics
  • Insulin / metabolism
  • Insulin Resistance / genetics
  • Insulin Resistance / physiology
  • Insulin Secretion
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A / genetics*

Substances

  • Blood Glucose
  • Insulin
  • Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A
  • Ace2 protein, mouse
  • Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2
  • Glucose