The protective effects of sciadopitysin against methylglyoxal-induced cytotoxicity in cultured pancreatic β-cells.

Increased glycation of macromolecules via the reactive dicarbonyl and α-oxoaldehyde methylglyoxal (MG) has shown an association with diabetes and its complications. In the present study, the protective effects of sciadopitysin against MG-induced oxidative cell damage were investigated in the insulin-producing pancreatic β-cell line, RIN-m5F cells. When exposed to MG for 48 hours, RIN-m5F cells experienced significant loss of viability and impaired insulin secretion; however, treatment with sciadopitysin protected RIN-m5F cells against MG-induced cell death and decreased insulin secretion. Treatment of RIN-m5F cells with sciadopitysin prevented MG-induced production of interleukin-1β, intracellular reactive oxygen species and cardiolipin peroxidation. Furthermore, sciadopitysin increased adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase phosphorylation of RIN-m5F cells. Treatment of cells with sciadopitysin increased the activity of glyoxalase I and decreased the levels of MG-protein adducts, indicating that sciadopitysin protects against MG-induced protein glycation by increasing MG detoxification. Taken together, the results indicated the potential utility of sciadopitysin as an intervention against MG-induced cell damage in pancreatic β-cells.