The N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptor Antagonist Dextromethorphan Improves Glucose Homeostasis and Preserves Pancreatic Islets in NOD Mice

Abstract: For treatment of type 1 diabetes mellitus, a combination of immune-based interventions and medication to promote beta-cell survival and proliferation has been proposed. Dextromethorphan (DXM) is an N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist with a good safety profile, and to date, preclinical and clinical evidence for blood glucose-lowering and islet-cell-protective effects of DXM have only been provided for animals and individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Here, we assessed the potential anti-diabetic effects of DXM in the non-obese diabetic mouse model of type 1 diabetes. More specifically, we showed that DXM treatment led to five-fold higher numbers of pancreatic islets and more than two-fold larger alpha- and beta-cell areas compared to untreated mice. Further, DXM treatment improved glucose homeostasis and reduced diabetes incidence by 50%. Our data highlight DXM as a novel candidate for adjunct treatment of preclinical or recent-onset type 1 diabetes.

Object Details

• Location: Deutsche Nationalbibliothek Frankfurt am Main
• Extent: Online-Ressource
• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: The N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptor Antagonist Dextromethorphan Improves Glucose Homeostasis and Preserves Pancreatic Islets in NOD Mice ; volume:56 ; number:03 ; year:2024 ; pages:223-234 ; Hormone and metabolic research ; 56, Heft 03 (2024), 223-234

Contributors, Places and Time

• Contributor: Wörmeyer, Laura ; Nortmann, Oliver ; Hamacher, Anna ; Uhlemeyer, Celina ; Belgardt, Bengt ; Eberhard, Daniel ; Mayatepek, Ertan ; Meissner, Thomas ; Lammert, Eckhard ; Welters, Alena

Further information

• DOI: 10.1055/a-2236-8625
• URN: urn:nbn:de:101:1-2404181011441.363443594438
• Rights: Open Access; Der Zugriff auf das Objekt ist unbeschränkt möglich.
• Last update: 14.08.2025, 10:48 AM CEST