Lysyl oxidase-mediated crosslinking in granulation tissue collagen in two models of hyperglycemia.

Enzymatically mediated crosslinks and nonenzymatic glycation were quantified in granulation tissue collagen in two models of hyperglycemia, diabetes and galactosemia, that have opposite effects on collagen solubility. The effects of castration, which alters collagen solubility, was also investigated. Collagen from both diabetic and galactosemic rats had significantly increased levels of dihydroxylysinonorleucine (DHLNL), a difunctional reducible crosslink. Galactosemic rats had significantly decreased levels of hydroxypyridinium, a trifunctional product of DHLNL and hydroxylysine, relative to control values, while diabetic rats had normal levels. Values for all other detectable crosslinks in collagen from hyperglycemic rats were indistinguishable from control values. Nonenzymatic glycation was increased in both groups of hyperglycemic rats. In diabetic rats, but not in galactosemic rats, nonenzymatic glycation was strongly correlated with DHLNL content. Castration had no effect on crosslink content of collagen from diabetic or galactosemic rats. This study demonstrates that (1) collagen crosslinking is abnormal in granulation tissue collagen in both experimental diabetes and galactosemia, (2) these changes are similar to those observed in skin collagen from insulin-dependent diabetic subjects and (3) the crosslinking abnormalities are not correlated with alterations in collagen solubility. We conclude that hyperglycemia-associated increases in immature crosslinks cannot account for altered collagen solubility, although impaired maturation of such crosslinks may be partially responsible for the lathyrogenic effect of galactosemia.     

Lysyl oxidase-mediated crosslinking in granulation tissue collagen in two models of hyperglycemia

Enzymatically mediated crosslinks and nonenzymatic glycation were quantified in granulation tissue collagen in two models of hyperglycemia, diabetes and galactosemia, that have opposite effects on collagen solubility. The effects of castration, which alters collagen solubility, was also investigated. Collagen from both diabetic and galactosenic rats had significantly increased levels of dihydroxylysinonorleucine (DHLNL), a difunctional reducible crosslink. Galactosemic rats had significantly decreased levels of hydroxypyridinium, a trifunctional product of DHLNL and hydroxylyse, relative to control values, while diabetic rats had normal levels. Values for all other detectable crosslinks in collagen from hyperglycemic rats were indistinguishable from control values. Nonezymatic glycation was increased in both groups of hyperglycemic rats. In diabetic rats, but not in galactosemic rats, nonenzymatic glycation was strongly correlated DHLNL content. Castration had no effect on crosslink content of collagen from diabetic or galactosemic rats. This study demonstrates that (1) collagen crosslinking is abnormal in granulation tissue collagen in both experimental diabetes and galactosemia, (2) these changes are similar to those observed in skin collagen from insulin-dependent diabetic subjects and (3) the crosslinking abnormalities are not correlated with alterations in collagen solubility. We conclude that hyperglycemia-associated increases in immature crosslinks cannot acount for altered collagen solubility, although impaired maturation of such crosslinks may be partially responsible for the lathyrogenic effect of galactosemia.     

The diabetic rat as an impaired wound healing model: stimulatory effects of transforming growth factor-beta and basic fibroblast growth factor

Two models of wound repair compared the effect of defined, recombinant growth factors on the rate of wound repair in both normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats: subcutaneous implantation of polyvinyl alcohol sponges and incisional wounding. Transverse incisional wounds were made on the dorsal surface of rats and closed with steel sutures. Three days postwounding the rats received a single injection of either transforming growth factor-beta or vehicle alone directly into the wound site. Animals were sacrificed 7, 14, and 21 days postwounding, and fresh and formalin-fixed wound tensile strength were measured. Diabetic rats had expected defects in wound repair, including decreased granulation tissue and reduced amounts of collagen, protein, and DNA. Fresh tensile strength of the diabetic incisions was 53% of normal on Day 7 (p < or = .01) and 29% of normal on Day 21. Fixed tensile strength was 41% of normal on Day 7 (p < or = .01) and fell to 78% of normal by Day 21 (p < or = .01), suggesting that collagen concentrations of diabetic wounds increased towards normal but did not undergo maturation. TGF beta produced a moderate increase in tensile strength of fresh and fixed wounds of diabetic rats, but not to the levels of wounds in untreated normal rats. Sponges fill with granulation tissue, their reproducible rate of organization being measured by histological and biochemical methods. A single injection into sponges 3 days postimplantation of basic fibroblast growth factor, transforming growth factor-beta, or vehicle only, was evaluated at 7 and 9 days postimplantation. In the sponge model, bFGF and TGF beta were each able to induce significant increases in the accumulation of granulation tissue in both diabetic and normal rats. TGF beta increased the collagen content of sponges by 136% in sponges from diabetic animals (p < or = .001), thereby raising the collagen content to that of normal control wounds, while stimulating a 49% (p < or = .02) increase in sponges from normal animals on Day 9. By contrast, the response to bFGF was predominantly an increase in the protein and DNA content of the sponges. These results emphasize the differential effects of the two cytokines in accelerating healing under conditions of defective wound repair.     

Metabolism of glomerular basement membrane in short- and long-term streptozotocin diabetic rats

The synthesis of glomerular basement membrane (GBM) total protein and collagen was assessed by two methods in vivo in normal and streptozotocin diabetic rats 4-6 weeks and 42-44 weeks after onset of hyperglycaemia, using L-[2, 3, 3H] proline as a radioactive precursor. The incorporation of tritiated proline into GBM hydroxyproline was used as a measure of collagen synthesis and that into proline as total protein synthesis. The basement membrane fractions from both short- and long-term diabetic rats attained much higher proline and hydroxyproline specific activities compared to normal GBM proline and hydroxyproline specific activities. Early insulin therapy with normalization of blood sugar levels in short-term (4-6 weeks) diabetic rats returned the abnormal increases in GBM total protein and collagen synthesis to normal. By contrast, poor glycaemic control with insulin did not prevent the increases in GBM protein synthesis. The results of the present study suggest that overall enhancement of GBM protein synthesis occurs in both short- and long-term streptozotocin diabetes. Early insulin therapy with normalization of blood sugar levels prevents this increase in GBM protein synthesis. Poor glycaemic control had no effect on abnormal GBM protein synthesis. This may be of potential significance in view of preventing chronic diabetic microvascular complications such as nephropathy.     

Identification of furoyl-containing advanced glycation products in collagen samples from diabetic and healthy rats

The compounds resulting from the reaction of glucose with proteins (advanced glycation products) can be important markers of chronic diabetic complications. To test the possible diagnostic value of advanced glycation products containing the furoyl moiety, collagen samples from diabetic and healthy rats were analyzed by parent ion spectroscopy. In our study, we compared normal collagen, diabetic collagen and normal collagen incubated with different glucose concentrations and we employed different hydrolysis procedures (HCl and proteinase). Mass spectroscopic measurements performed on hydrolyzed samples showed that either different samples or different hydrolysis procedures produce a similar set of furoyl-containing compounds. 2-(2-Furoyl)-4(5)-(2-furanyl)-1H-imidazole (FFI) which has been reported to be one of the advanced glycation products, was never found in any of the samples examined. Hence neither FFI nor furoyl-containing molecules can be considered markers of advanced glycation processes.     

Detection and determination of glyceraldehyde-derived pyridinium-type advanced glycation end product in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

GLAP, glyceraldehyde-derived pyridinium-type advanced glycation end product (AGE), formed by glyceraldehyde-related glycation, was identified in the plasma protein and the tail tendon collagen of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. It was detected in the plasma protein and the collagen in diabetic rats by LC-MS and LC-MS/MS analysis, but was not detected in normal rats. In addition, GLAP was formed from glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate (GA3P) with lysine as well as glyceraldehyde (GLA) with lysine in vitro. Accordingly, it is suggested that an increase in the GLAP level reflects an increase in the GLA level and the GA3P level. GLAP might be a biomarker for reduced activity of the glyceraldehyde-related enzymes in the metabolic diseases such as diabetic complications.     

Identification of furoyl-containing advanced glycation products in collagen samples from diabetic and healthy rats

The compounds resulting from the reaction of glucose with proteins (advanced glycation products) can be important markers of chronic diabetic complications. To test the possible diagnostic value of advanced glycation products containing the furoyl moiety, collagen samples from diabetic and healthy rats were analyzed by parent ion spectroscopy. In our study, we compared normal collagen, diabetic collagen and normal collagen incubated with different glucose concentrations and we employed different hydrolysis procedures (HCl and proteinase). Mass spectroscopic measurements performed on hydrolyzed samples showed that either different samples or different hydrolysis procedures produce a similar set of furoyl-containing compounds. 2-(2-Furoyl)-4(5)-(2-furanyl)-1H-imidazole (FFI) which has been reported to be one of the advanced glycation products, was never found in any of the samples examined. Hence neither FFI nor furoyl-containing molecules can be considered markers of advanced glycation processes.     

Increased glycosylation of glomerular basement membrane collagen in diabetes

Basement membrane was purified from glomeruli isolated from normal and streptozotocin-diabetic rats. After extraction of non-collagen protein with 8M urea, the extent of glycosylation in glomerular basement membrane collagen was determined with a specific colorimetric reaction that detects carbohydrate in ketoamine linkage with proteins. The level of glycosylation of glomerular basement membrane collagen purified from diabetic rats was significantly greater than that in non-diabetic animals. Increased basement membrane glycosylation may alter structure-function relationships of the capillary filtration barrier.     

Effects of dietary xylitol on collagen content and glycosylation in healthy and diabetic rats

The effects of three-month dietary xylitol supplementation on the amounts and hexose contents of acid-soluble collagen as well as on the amounts and fluorescence of collagenase-soluble collagen were studied in healthy and streptozotocin-diabetic male rats. Collagen was extracted from skin samples. In the healthy rats, supplementation with xylitol (10%) increased the hydroxyproline content of the acid-soluble fraction and skin thickness. In diabetic rats receiving and not receiving xylitol, the acid-soluble collagen fraction was markedly lower than in healthy rats. However, its amount was significantly elevated when xylitol had been added to the diet. Supplementation with xylitol caused no changes in the amounts of collagenase-soluble fraction in either healthy or diabetic rats. Supplementation with xylitol (10%) significantly decreased the hexose content of acid-soluble collagen and the fluorescence of the collagenase-soluble fraction in both healthy and diabetic rats. The results indicate that dietary xylitol affects collagen synthesis and collagen glycosylation.     

Changes in the cross-linking of collagen from rat tail tendons due to diabetes

The acid solubility of Type I collagen from rat tail tendons decreases due to diabetes. This finding has been taken as evidence that collagen from diabetics may be more cross-linked than normal. We compared CNBr peptide maps prepared by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis for [3H] NaBH4-reduced tail tendons from streptozotocin-diabetic rats with maps from age-matched control rats. At least through 30 weeks of diabetes, the distribution of mass of both cross-linked and uncross-linked CNBr peptides was identical in diabetic and control tendons. Therefore, the number of cross-linked peptides did not increase due to diabetes. We analyzed the 3H-cross-linking compounds present on the CNBr peptides and found that the 3H content of peptides cross-linked in control tendons through the bivalent, reduced cross-links hydroxylysinonorleucine and lysinonorleucine was diminished on corresponding peptides from diabetic tendons as a function of duration of diabetes. The cross-linked peptides, however, persisted. Therefore, we conclude that a larger fraction of these bivalent cross-links is found in an unknown, non-reducible form in tendons from diabetic compared with control rats. This resembles a phenomenon normally associated with maturation and/or aging where the non-reducible form of the cross-links is acid-stable. An increase in the fraction of the cross-links that is non-reducible and acid-stable would explain, at least in part, the decrease in acid solubility of the collagen. Non-enzymatic glycation (NEG) was not very specific, since most CNBr peptides bound some glucose. However, peptides from the alpha 2-chain seemed to be preferential targets for NEG. While NEG clearly increased due to diabetes, we found no evidence that increased NEG led to an increased number of cross-links in tail tendon collagen from streptozotocin diabetic rats.     

Mechanical and structural changes in rat tail tendon induced by alloxan diabetes and aging

The structure and mechanical properties of tail tendons from rats made diabetic by alloxan monohydrate injection were studied. Several differences are revealed upon comparison with normal tendons from control rats of identical age. In diabetic tendon an increase in the apparent failure region moduli, decreased stress relaxation rate, alterations of the crimp structure and a tendency toward larger collagen fibril diameters are observed. Some of these changes resemble aging acceleration while others must be ascribed to other hypothetical causes.     

Characterization of N-glycosylated type I collagen in streptozotocin-induced diabetes.

The N epsilon-glycosylation of lysine and hydroxylysine residues in collagen from streptozotocin-induced-diabetic rats was confirmed and the stability of the complex shown to be due to an Amadori rearrangement. The studies also demonstrate the relative specificities of glucose, galactose and mannose in their reaction with collagen. The glycosylation of lysine in vitro occurs with glucose and galactose, but not with mannose, whereas only gucose reacts with hydroxylysine to any significant extent. Glycosylation of collagen occurs slowly during normal aging, but in contrast with reports suggesting accelerated aging of collagen in diabetic animals, we clearly demonstrated that the apparent increased stability is not due to an acceleration of the normal maturation process involving the reducible cross-links.     

Multiscale analysis of morphology and mechanics in tail tendon from the ZDSD rat model of type 2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) impacts multiple organ systems including the circulatory, renal, nervous and musculoskeletal systems. In collagen-based tissues, one mechanism that may be responsible for detrimental mechanical impacts of T2D is the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) leading to increased collagen stiffness and decreased toughness, resulting in brittle tissue behavior. The purpose of this study was to investigate tendon mechanical properties from normal and diabetic rats at two distinct length scales, testing the hypothesis that increased stiffness and strength and decreased toughness at the fiber level would be associated with alterations in nanoscale morphology and mechanics. Individual fascicles from female Zucker diabetic Sprague-Dawley (ZDSD) rats had no differences in fascicle-level mechanical properties but had increased material-level strength and stiffness versus control rats (CD). At the nanoscale, collagen fibril D-spacing was shifted towards higher spacing values in diabetic ZDSD fibrils. The distribution of nanoscale modulus values was also shifted to higher values. Material-level strength and stiffness from whole fiber tests were increased in ZDSD tails. Correlations between nanoscale and microscale properties indicate a direct positive relationship between the two length scales, most notably in the relationship between nanoscale and microscale modulus. These findings indicate that diabetes-induced changes in material strength and modulus were driven by alterations at the nanoscale.     

The effect of finger millet feeding on the early responses during the process of wound healing in diabetic rats

In the present study, the role of finger millet feeding on skin antioxidant status, nerve growth factor (NGF) production and wound healing parameters in healing impaired early diabetic rats is reported. Hyperglycemic rats received food containing 50 g/100 g finger millet (FM). Non-diabetic controls and diabetic controls received balanced nutritive diet. Full-thickness excision skin wounds were made after 2 weeks prior feeding of finger millet diet. The rate of wound contraction, and the levels of collagen, hexosamine and uronic acid in the granulation tissue were determined. The skin antioxidant status and lipid peroxide concentration were also monitored during the study. In hyperglycemic rats fed with finger millet diet, the healing process was hastened with an increased rate of wound contraction. Skin levels of glutathione (GSH), ascorbic acid and alpha-tocopherol in alloxan-induced diabetic rat were lower as compared to non-diabetics. Altered activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were also recorded in diabetics. Interestingly, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) were elevated in the wound tissues of all the groups, when compared to normal (unwounded) skin tissues. However, in diabetic rats the TBARS levels of both normal and wounded skin tissues were significantly elevated (P < 0.001) when compared with control (non-diabetic) and diabetics fed with FM. Impaired production of NGF, determined by ELISA, in diabetic rats was improved upon FM feeding and further confirmed by immunocytochemical observations reflects the increased expression of NGF in hyperglycemic rats supplemented with FM-enriched diet. Histological and electron microscopical evaluations revealed the epithelialization, increased synthesis of collagen, activation of fibroblasts and mast cells in FM-fed animals. Thus, increased levels of oxidative stress markers accompanied by decreased levels of antioxidants play a vital role in delaying wound healing in diabetic rats. However, FM feeding to the diabetic animals, for 4 weeks, controlled the glucose levels and improved the antioxidant status, which hastened the dermal wound healing process.     

A therapeutic approach for diabetic wound healing using biotinylated GHK incorporated collagen matrices

Chronically elevated blood glucose levels result in reduced leukocyte function and cell malnutrition, which contribute to a high rate of wound infection and associated healing problems in diabetic patients. In the present study, the role of biotinylated GHK peptide (BioGHK) incorporated collagen biomaterial was tested for wound healing in diabetic rats. The rate of wound contraction and the levels of collagen, uronic acid, protein and DNA in the granulation tissue were determined. Further, the concentration of nitric oxide and other skin antioxidants was also monitored during the study. In diabetic rats treated with BioGHK incorporated collagen (Peptide Incorporated Collagen--PIC), the healing process was hastened with an increased rate of wound contraction. Glutathione (GSH) and ascorbic acid levels in the skin of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats were higher in the PIC group as compared to control (Untreated) and collagen (Collagen Film--CF) treated groups. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activity was altered in all the groups. In vitro fibroblast cell culture studies suggest that PIC promotes fibroblast growth. Histological evaluation by haematoxylin-eosin and Masson's trichrome method revealed epithelialization, increased synthesis of collagen and activation of fibroblasts and mast cells in the PIC group. This study provides a rationale for the topical application of BioGHK incorporated collagen as a feasible and productive approach to support diabetic wound healing.     

AGE-breakers cleave model compounds,but do not break Maillard crosslinks in skin and tail collagen from diabetic rats

Advanced glycation end products (AGE), formed by nonenzymatic Maillard reactions between carbohydrate and protein, contribute to the increase in chemical modification and crosslinking of tissue proteins with age. Acceleration of AGE formation in collagen during hyperglycemia, with resultant effects on vascular elasticity and basement membrane permeability, is implicated in the pathogenesis of diabetic complications. AGE-breakers, such as N-phenacylthiazolium (PTB) and N-phenacyl-4,5-dimethylthiazolium (PMT) halides, have been proposed as therapeutic agents for reversing the increase in protein crosslinking in aging and diabetes. We have confirmed that these compounds, as well as the AGE-inhibitor pyridoxamine (PM), cleave the model AGE crosslink, phenylpropanedione, and have studied the effects of these compounds in reversing the increased crosslinking of skin and tail collagen isolated from diabetic rats. Crosslinking of skin collagen, measured as the half-time for solubilization of collagen by pepsin in 0.5M acetic acid, was increased approximately 5-fold in diabetic, compared to nondiabetic rats. Crosslinking of tail tendon collagen, measured as insolubility in 0.05 N acetic acid, was increased approximately 10-fold. Collagen preparations were incubated in the presence or absence of AGE-breakers or PM in phosphate buffer, pH 7.4, for 24h at 37 degrees C. These treatments did not decrease the half-time for solubilization of diabetic skin collagen by pepsin or increase the acid solubility of diabetic tail tendon collagen. We conclude that, although AGE-breakers and PM cleave model crosslinks, they do not significantly cleave AGE crosslinks formed in vivo in skin collagen of diabetic rats.     

Response of rat connective tissues to streptozotocin-diabetes. Tissue-specific effects on collagen metabolism

We assessed the effect of streptozotocin-diabetes on in vivo collagen metabolism in skin, aorta and intestine by injecting [³H]proline into rats, 20 days after administering the diabetogen, streptozotocin. One day after [³H]proline injection, diabetic and control animals were killed, their tissues analyzed for both ³H-labeled and unlabeled hydroxyproline and results expressed per entire tissue. Thereby, the effect of diabetes on net collagen synthesis and tissue collagen mass, respectively, was evaluated.Diabetes resulted in a lower content of [³H]collagen in skin and aorta, suggesting decreased net collagen synthesis. This decrease in net synthesis was accompanied by a decrease of collagen mass in skin, whereas aortic collagen mass was unaffected. Consequently, an acceleration of collagen degradation in skin is postulated to have accompanied the expected depression of collagen synthesis; alterations of the physiochemical properties of skin from diabetic rats support this interpretation. For intestine, both net collagen synthesis and mass increased in diabetic rats, reflecting increased collagen synthesis—possibly associated with polyphagy.In conclusion, with regard to collagen metabolism, representative connective tissues respond differently to experimental diabetes, and we suggest that this insight will be useful in future studies aimed at understanding the pathophysiology of connective tissues affected by diabetes.     

Iuteolin对糖尿病大鼠心脏功能的保护作用及其可能机制

目的：研究Iuteolin对链脲佐菌素诱导的Ⅰ型糖尿病大鼠心功能及心肌线粒体氧化应激的影响。方法：雄性SD大鼠,随机分成正常对照组,Iuteolin对照纽,糖尿病模型组,低剂量Iuteolin（10ms／（kg·d））灌胃治疗组,高剂量Iuteolin（100ms／（kg·d））灌胃治疗组。各组大鼠饲养8周后,测体重、血糖、心功能、左心室重量、心肌胶原含量及活性氧自由基（ROS）水平,分离心肌线粒体检测ROS水平、超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）活性及线粒体肿胀程度。结果：Iuteolin处理对糖尿病大鼠血糖无明显影响,但可减少糖尿病引起的体重下降。高剂量Iuteolin可显著减小糖尿病大鼠心室与体重比值,提高左室发展压,降低左室舒张末压。高剂量Iuteolin治疗后,糖尿病大鼠心肌ROS及胶原含量。心肌线粒体ROS水平与肿胀程度均明显下降,心肌线粒体SOD活性明显增加。结论：Iuteolin处理可显著改善糖尿病大鼠心功能．其机制可能与减轻心肌线粒体氧化应激及抑制线粒体肿胀有关。     

The role of arginine vasopressin in diabetes-associated increase in glucagon secretion

The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of arginine vasopressin (AVP) on glucagon secretion in both normal and diabetic rats. Diabetes was induced by intravenous administration of 50 mg/kg streptozotocin, 14 days before pancreatic perfusion. Diabetic rats were maintained on insulin replacement therapy until approximately 48 h before the perfusion experiments. Both glucagon and AVP were determined in the effluent of the perfused pancreas using RIA. Both normal and diabetic rats had similar basal glucagon secretion. AVP (3-30 pM) increased glucagon secretion from both normal and diabetic rats in a concentration-dependent manner. However, diabetic subjects were more sensitive to AVP administration than normal subjects with regard to glucagon secretion. By comparison of the areas under the curves, AVP-induced glucagon secretion in diabetic rats was approximately 2-fold that of the normal rats. In addition, immunoreactive AVP was detected in the effluent of the perfused pancreas, and diabetic rats had 70% higher AVP concentrations in the pancreatic effluent than normal rats. We conclude that AVP is secreted from the pancreas and diabetic rats can secrete more AVP from the pancreas than normal rats. Consequently, AVP may have a greater impact on glucagon secretion in diabetic subjects than normal ones. AVP might play an important role in the hypersecretion of glucagon in diabetic subjects.     

Maternal low-carbohydrate high-protein diet affects mandibular growth in diabetic newborn rats

Dams with 7 pups each were randomly assigned to two different diets. Twelve dams were fed a normal (20%) protein diet and were divided into two groups of 4 and 8 animals. Pups from group 1 (n = 28) were injected with citrate buffer as a control. Pups from group 2 (n = 56) were injected with streptozotocin. Twelve additional dams were fed a 40% protein diet. They were also divided into two groups of 4 and 8 animals. Pups from group 3 (n = 28) were injected with citrate buffer as a control. Pups from group 4 (n = 56) were injected with streptozotocin. Forty-eight hours later, diabetic status was determined using Dextrostix. On Day 15, pups were injected with [14C]proline to determine collagen synthesis and 45Ca to study mineralization. After the pups were killed, blood glucose levels were determined. Then mandibles were removed. Milk from each dam was also collected after injection of oxytocin. At the time of killing, blood glucose levels in diabetic pups were less than earlier levels, though still higher than those of controls on either diet. The weights of body and mandible, collagen contents, and the total calcium contents in the diabetic group were in general less than those of the nondiabetic group on the 20 and 40% protein diets. 45Ca uptake in the diabetic group was significantly increased compared with those of the nondiabetic rats on both diets. The percentage reduction in the mandibles of diabetic rats from those of nondiabetic rats on the 40% protein diets was consistently less than that of animals on the 20% protein diets. The higher protein contents of the maternal milk in the 40% protein group may partly be responsible for the smaller impairment of mandibular development in the diabetic over nondiabetic animals. It is concluded that maternal low-carbohydrate high-protein diets will play indirectly a beneficial role in the development of the mandibles of diabetic newborns.