Time dynamics of elevated glucose and beta-hydroxybutyrate on beta cell mitochondrial metabolism

Chronic hyperglycemia impairs mitochondrial function of beta cells. Changes in mitochondrial function preceding a negative glucose effect have not been fully characterized, nor interactions with ketones. To compare effects on beta cell mitochondrial function by short and longer exposures to elevated glucose and interactions with ketones oxygen consumption rate (OCR) was measured in intact clonal beta cells by an OROBOROS and in rat islets by a Seahorse instrument. Proteins (subunits) of mitochondrial complexes (C) were measured by immunoblotting. ATP and ROS were measured in islets. In INS-1 832/13 cells, overnight exposure to 27 vs. 11 mm glucose increased OCR and uncoupled mitochondrial respiration. These effects vanished when prolonging the exposure time of elevated glucose. C1 was decreased after two days of culture with high glucose. Interactions with racemic 5 and 20 mm beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) were not detected. In islets, culture overnight at 27 vs.11 mm glucose enhanced basal OCR. No decrease in glucose-induced OCR was seen after prolonging 27 mm glucose for two days. Interactions with 5 mm BHB were not detected. Prolonged exposure to 27 mm glucose enhanced basal ECAR (extracellular acidification rate) and an ECAR response to acute elevation of glucose. C1 and 3 and 4 were decreased after two days of 27 vs. 11 mm glucose. ATP levels were decreased at this time-point and extracellular ROS increased. High glucose time-dependently affects mitochondrial function in clonal beta cells and islets. C1 was uniformly decreased. Interactions with BHB were not detected.