Diosmetin ameliorate type 2 diabetic mellitus by up-regulating Corynebacterium glutamicum to regulate IRS/PI3K/AKT-mediated glucose metabolism disorder in KK-Ay mice

Background and purpose: Diosmetin (Dios), a flavonoid compound with multiple pharmacological activities. However, fewer studies have reported its effects on type 2 diabetic mellitus (T2DM). Here, we address the effect of Dios on glucose metabolism and gut microbiota in KK-Ay diabetic mice. Method: Wild type C57BL/6 J mice or diabetic KK-Ay mice were treated with vehicle or Dios for one month. The ELISA kit and fluorescence microscope system were respectively employed to the evaluation of serum biochemical indicators and histopathological changes. Liver RNA-Seq and western blot were used to reveal the key signaling pathway. The effects of Dios on gut microbiota was investigated by the 16S rRNA gene sequencing, as well as the relationship between Dios and C. glu on glucose metabolism was explored with the C. glu transplantation. Results: Dios treatment significantly decreased blood glucose and increased serum insulin concentrations. RNA-Seq analysis found that the underlying action mechanism of Dios on T2DM was via modulating glucose metabolism, which was proved by up-regulating IRS/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway to promote glycogen synthesis and GLUT4 translocation. Besides, Dios treatment reshaped the unbalanced gut microbiota by suppressing the ratio of Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes and markedly increasing the richness of C. glu. Moreover, treatment with C. glu and Dios together could markedly ameliorate glucose metabolism by up-regulating IRS/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway to promote glycogen synthesis and GLUT4 translocation. Conclusions: Dios treatment remarkably ameliorated glucose metabolism in KK-Ay diabetic mice by the regulation of C. glu via IRS/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway and reshaped the unbalanced gut microbiota. Our study provided evidence for the application of Dios to the treatment of T2DM.