Publications

Journal Article Review Epublish

PubMed: 39796447 DOI: 10.3390/nu17010013

Role of Abscisic Acid in the Whole-Body Regulation of Glucose Uptake and Metabolism.

Nutrients 17(1)

Authors: Sonia Spinelli, Zelle Humma, Mirko Magnone, Elena Zocchi, Laura Sturla

Affiliations

  • Laboratory of Molecular Nephrology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via Gerolamo Gaslini 5, 16147 Genova, Italy.
  • Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Biochemistry, University of Genova, Viale Benedetto XV 1, 16132 Genova, Italy.

Abstract

Abscisic acid (ABA) is a hormone with a long evolutionary history, dating back to the earliest living organisms, of which modern (ABA-producing) cyanobacteria are likely descendants, which existed long before the separation of the plant and animal kingdoms, with a conserved role as signals regulating cell responses to environmental challenges. In mammals, along with the anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective function of ABA, nanomolar ABA regulates the metabolic response to glucose availability by stimulating glucose uptake in skeletal muscle and adipose tissue via an insulin-independent mechanism and increasing metabolic energy production and also dissipation in brown and white adipocytes. Chronic ABA intake of micrograms per Kg body weight improves blood glucose, lipids, and morphometric parameters (waist circumference and body mass index) in borderline subjects for prediabetes and metabolic syndrome. This review summarizes the most recent in vitro and in vivo data obtained with nanomolar ABA, the involvement of the receptors LANCL1 and LANCL2 in the hormone's action, and the importance of mammals' endowment with two distinct hormones governing the metabolic response to glucose availability. Finally, unresolved issues and future directions for the clinical use of ABA in diabetes are discussed.

MeSH

Diabetes Mellitus, Abscisic Acid, Hormones, Food, Metabolic Syndrome