The antidiabetic effect of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles highlights the role of WNT/AMPK/mTOR/FOXO1/mitochondrial DNA in muscle and kidney.

To explore the antidiabetic effect of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs)-PEG-550 and its related metabolic pathways in muscles and kidney. Diabetes was induced in 5-day neonatal rats; after confirming diabetes, treatment with SPIONs-PEG-550 started at different doses for 4 weeks. Routine analysis of glucose, insulin, adipocytokines, urea and creatinine was performed. The expression of several genes involved in metabolic pathways and the corresponding protein levels were examined. SPIONs-PEG-550 normalized the disturbed glucose homeostasis, reversed insulin resistance, adjusted the serum level of adipocytokines, and improved several disturbed downstream effectors of the insulin signaling and WNT pathway in both tissues. Histological examination of the muscle and pancreas has shown almost normal functional characteristics without remarkable adverse effects on the kidney.