1812-P: Lupin Flour Improves Glucose Metabolism in an mdx Mouse Model of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

Introduction and Objective: Insulin resistance is increasingly recognized as a metabolic feature of chronic muscle disorders, including Duchenne muscular dystrophy. This study evaluated the beneficial effects of chronic lupin flour (LF) supplementation, a protein-rich legume with insulin-mimetic properties, on glucose metabolism in an mdx mouse model of DMD. Methods: Twelve-week-old male wild-type (C57BL/6T, n=20) and mdx (n=20) mice were assigned to four groups (WT, WT+LF, mdx, mdx+LF) and fed a standard diet with or without 2% (w/w) LF 8 weeks. Blood samples collected at baseline and study end were used to assess glycemia, insulin levels, and HOMA index as markers of insulin resistance. Results: LF supplementation significantly reduced final glycemia in both WT and mdx mice (p < 0.05-0.001), with a parallel reduction in HOMA index, indicating improved insulin sensitivity. In WT mice, LF lowered plasma glucose and insulin levels compared with untreated controls, consistent with insulin-mimetic activity. Untreated mdx mice exhibited insulin resistance, as reflected by higher baseline glucose, insulin, and HOMA values versus WT controls. LF partially normalized these metabolic alterations in mdx mice. Two-way ANOVA revealed significant main effects of treatment and time (p < 0.001), with no interaction, indicating a consistent metabolic benefit over time. LF-treated mdx mice also showed partial restoration of growth trajectories compared with untreated mdx animals. Conclusion: These findings provide evidence for insulin resistance as a metabolic feature of mdx mice and support lupin flour supplementation as a nutritional strategy to improve glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity in conditions characterized by muscle-related metabolic dysfunction. Disclosure R. Codella: None. F. Vacante: None. P. Senesi: None. L. Luzi: None. I.M. Terruzzi: None.