Peroxiredoxin 2 deficiency does not affect insulin resistance and oxidative stress in high-fat diet-fed obese mice

Objective: To examine if peroxiredoxin 2 (Prx2) deficiency aggravates high-fat diet-induced insulin resistance. Material and methods: Insulin sensitivity was measured in Prx2 knockout (KO) and wild-type (WT) littermates using the hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp. Results: Whole body glucose turnover, glucose uptake, and levels of glucose transporter 4 (Glut4) protein in the skeletal muscle were found to be lower. This was followed by increased expression of oxidative stress markers in Prx2 KO mice than that in WT mice in the control diet group. Although, a 12-week high-fat diet induced insulin resistance and enhanced oxidative stress in both genotypes, there was no difference between WT and Prx2 KO mice with respect to insulin sensitivity and the level of oxidative stress markers. Accordingly, the levels of phosphorylated Akt and Glut4 were similar between the two genotypes. Conclusion: These results suggest that Prx2 does not affect high-fat diet-induced oxidative stress and insulin resistance in mice.