451
21.3.5 Sulfonylureas
Sulfonylureas are organo-sulfur-containing antibiotic derivatives that is orally
administered and widely used to manage type 2 diabetes (DiStefano and Watanabe
2010). This substance increases secretion of insulin endogenously from the pancreas by binding with the plasma membrane receptor coupled to an ATP-sensitive
channel located in the cell membrane of pancreatic cells (Lacroix and Li-Chan
2014). This process triggers the exocytosis of insulin from pancreatic β-cells due to
calcium influx (Cheng and Fantus 2005).
21.3.6 Methionine
Methionine is an exclusive and essential amino acid with sulfur, that are predominantly found in proteins of meat, and are normally converted into homocysteine
through transmethylation reaction (Finkelstein 2000). Further, it is found in plants
such as soybeans, peanuts, sesame seeds, hemp seeds, kidney beans etc. It acts as a
precursor for the production of glutathione which prevent the cells from oxidative
injury and plays an essential role in the antioxidant system of the body (Caylak et al.
2008; Caylak et al. 2007). Among the biological activity of the sulphur-containing
amino acid, it was reported that methionine conjugated with chromium reduces the
index of insulin resistance, triglyceride, glucose and fasting insulin in insulin-resistant rat model (Ghiasi et al. 2010). In recent times, it was demonstrated that methionine conjugated with chromium administered for 15 days ameliorated blood
glucose, altered lipid metabolism and provided hepatoprotective effects in alloxaninduced diabetic mice (Tang et al. 2015).
21.3.7 Lipoic Acid
Lipoic acid is an organosulfur compound with antioxidant properties. Plant species
such as spinach, broccoli and potatoes possess a high concentration of alpha-lipoic
acid (Karaarslan et al. 2013). Several reports showed that lipoic acids possess
enhanced anti-diabetic property (Nagamatsu et al. 1995; Packer 1994; Reljanovic
et al. 1999; Ruhnau et al. 1999). Karkabounas et al. (2018) revealed that daily supplementation of alpha-lipoic acid can reduce the concentration of glucose by elevating insulin secretion from the pancreas in type 2 diabetic patients via randomized
double-blind study. Furthermore, Khabbazi et al. (2012) evaluated the oxidative
stress, inflammation and serum lipid profile in hemodialysis patients after supplementation of alpha-lipoic acid and demonstrated that the lipoic acid supplementation reduced highly sensitive C-reactive protein, which is a responsible factor for
cardiovascular and diabetic complications in hemodialysis patients. Furthermore,
21 Health Benefits of Organosulfur Compounds
21.3.5 Sulfonylureas
Sulfonylureas are organo-sulfur-containing antibiotic derivatives that is orally
administered and widely used to manage type 2 diabetes (DiStefano and Watanabe
2010). This substance increases secretion of insulin endogenously from the pancreas by binding with the plasma membrane receptor coupled to an ATP-sensitive
channel located in the cell membrane of pancreatic cells (Lacroix and Li-Chan
2014). This process triggers the exocytosis of insulin from pancreatic β-cells due to
calcium influx (Cheng and Fantus 2005).
21.3.6 Methionine
Methionine is an exclusive and essential amino acid with sulfur, that are predominantly found in proteins of meat, and are normally converted into homocysteine
through transmethylation reaction (Finkelstein 2000). Further, it is found in plants
such as soybeans, peanuts, sesame seeds, hemp seeds, kidney beans etc. It acts as a
precursor for the production of glutathione which prevent the cells from oxidative
injury and plays an essential role in the antioxidant system of the body (Caylak et al.
2008; Caylak et al. 2007). Among the biological activity of the sulphur-containing
amino acid, it was reported that methionine conjugated with chromium reduces the
index of insulin resistance, triglyceride, glucose and fasting insulin in insulin-resistant rat model (Ghiasi et al. 2010). In recent times, it was demonstrated that methionine conjugated with chromium administered for 15 days ameliorated blood
glucose, altered lipid metabolism and provided hepatoprotective effects in alloxaninduced diabetic mice (Tang et al. 2015).
21.3.7 Lipoic Acid
Lipoic acid is an organosulfur compound with antioxidant properties. Plant species
such as spinach, broccoli and potatoes possess a high concentration of alpha-lipoic
acid (Karaarslan et al. 2013). Several reports showed that lipoic acids possess
enhanced anti-diabetic property (Nagamatsu et al. 1995; Packer 1994; Reljanovic
et al. 1999; Ruhnau et al. 1999). Karkabounas et al. (2018) revealed that daily supplementation of alpha-lipoic acid can reduce the concentration of glucose by elevating insulin secretion from the pancreas in type 2 diabetic patients via randomized
double-blind study. Furthermore, Khabbazi et al. (2012) evaluated the oxidative
stress, inflammation and serum lipid profile in hemodialysis patients after supplementation of alpha-lipoic acid and demonstrated that the lipoic acid supplementation reduced highly sensitive C-reactive protein, which is a responsible factor for
cardiovascular and diabetic complications in hemodialysis patients. Furthermore,
21 Health Benefits of Organosulfur Compounds