The host response to poly(lactide-co-glycolide) scaffolds protects mice from diet induced obesity and glucose intolerance.

ABSTRACT: Underlying metabolic disease is poor adipose tissue function characterized by impaired glucose tolerance and low expression of health promoting adipokines. Currently, no treatments specifically target the adipose tissue and we are investigating polymer scaffolds for localized drug delivery as a therapeutic platform. In this work we implanted porous poly(lactide-co-glycolide) scaffolds into the epididymal fat of mice. Surprisingly, "empty" scaffolds decreased blood glucose levels in healthy mice as well as epididymal fat pad size. By injecting a fluorescent glucose tracer into mice, we determined that glucose uptake increases by 60% in epididymal fat pads with scaffolds; in contrast, glucose uptake was not elevated in other major metabolic organs, suggesting the enhanced glucose uptake at t

SUBMITTER: Hendley MA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6635072 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature