The Impact of Psilocybin on High Glucose/Lipid-Induced Changes in INS-1 Cell Viability and Dedifferentiation
Genes January 29, 2024 Esmaeel Ghasemi Gojani, Bo Wang, Olga Kovalchuk et al. 11 citations
Psilocybin, a compound from Psilocybe mushrooms that activates serotonin receptors, may protect insulin-producing β-cells from damage caused by high glucose and high lipid conditions. In experiments with rat insulinoma cells, psilocybin pretreatment reduced cell loss, likely by altering apoptotic biomarkers and reducing phosphorylation of TXNIP, STAT-1, and STAT-3. It also modulated expression of genes linked to β-cell dedifferentiation, such as Pou5f1 and Nanog, suggesting it could help maintain β-cell identity. These findings indicate potential for psilocybin in treating Type II diabetes, though further research is needed.