Effects of pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate on synthesis of hepatic glycogen in diabetic rats

AIM: To determine the effect of pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate on hepatic glycogen synthesis and its mechanism in diabetic rats. METHODS: Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal diet group and high-fat diet group. After 8 weeks of feeding, the rats in high-fat diet group were injected intraperitoneally with a single dose of streptozotocin (27 mg/kg) to induce type 2 diabetes. The diabetes rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: diabetes mellitus group (DM), PDTC-treated group (DM+PDTC) and insulin-treated group (DM+INS). The rats in PDTC-treated group were injected with PDTC (50 mg/kg) intraperitoneally daily. At the same time, the rats in normal diet group, DM group and insulin-treated group were injected with equivalent volume of saline in the same way. The rats in insulin-treated group were injected with insulin (1 U/kg) 1 h before killed. After the treatment was taken for 1 week, the levels of blood glucose were measured, then the animals in all groups were killed. The liver glycogen content was detected, and the levels of GSK-3β and Akt phosphorylation in the liver tissues were analyzed by Western blotting. RESULTS: The blood glucose level and liver glycogen content were significantly higher, and the levels of GSK-3β and Akt phosphorylation were lower in DM group than those in normal-diet group (P<0.01). Compared with DM group, the glycogen content, the phosphorylation of Akt and GSK-3β in the liver tissues in DM+PDTC group and DM+INS group increased significantly (P<0.01), and the blood glucose levels decreased (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: PDTC increases the synthesis of liver glycogen and decreases the level of blood glucose by regulating the activity of Akt and GSK-3β in the liver.     

Influence of metformin on LPIN1 expression and AMPK signaling in high-fat diet-induced insulin resistant rats

AIM: To explore the regulatory mechanism of LPIN1 in hepatic insulin resistance by investigating the influence of metformin on the expression of LPIN1 and AMP-activated protein kinase(AMPK) signaling in the rats with high-fat diet-induced insulin resistance. METHODS: Thirty-six 4-week-old male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 2 groups: control group and high-fat diet (HF) group. The rats in HF group were fed with high-fat diet for 8 weeks and then were randomly divided into 2 subgroups: HF group and metformin intervention group, and the animals were continuously raised for 8 months. The mRNA levels of α1 and α2 subunit of AMPK as well as LPIN1 were measured by real-time RT-PCR. Phospho-AMPKα (Thr-172) was detected by Western blotting to evaluate the activity of AMPK. RESULTS: After 4 months, the rats in HF group showed significant increase in the levels of body weight, fast plasma glucose and insulin, and the levels of triglyceride and total cholesterol significantly elevated.Significant decrease in LPIN1 and phospho-AMPKα (Thr-172) expression in the rat livers were also observed. After treated with metformin, the metabolic indexes of the HF rats were improved. The mRNA and protein expression of AMPKα1 and AMPKα2 had no significant difference among the 3 groups. Metformin treatment also increased the expression of LPIN1 in the liver tissues of HF rats. CONCLUSION: The decrease in LPIN1 expression and AMPK activity may contribute to hepatic insulin resistance in diet-induced obese rats. Metformin improves the LPIN1 expression and AMPK activity through the interaction between LPIN1 and AMPK signal pathways.     

Effect of GLP-1 on insulin resistance and PKCε in rats with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease induced by high fat diet

AIM: To observe the therapeutic effect of glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) analog on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease of rats and to investigate the underlying mechanism.METHODS: SD rats (n=21) were used to establish a nonalcoholic fatty liver disease model by feeding a high fat diet for 12 weeks, and other 11 rats were fed with a normal diet for 16 weeks. The model rats were randomly divided into 2 equal groups:one group was treated with glucagon-like peptide 1 analog (0.6 mg·kg^-1·d^-1) by intraperitoneal injection for 4 weeks, the other group using saline as a control. After treatment, fasting blood glucose, serum insulin, blood lipids, liver function and the pathological changes of the hepatic tissues were evaluated and the expression of PKCε at mRNA and protein levels in the liver tissues was detected by real-time PCR and Western blot, respectively.RESULTS: Compared with model group, the intervention of GLP-1 significantly reduced insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR), improved the liver function (P<0.05), decreased the liver index and blood lipids (P<0.05). HE staining showed obvious pathological changes of the hepatic tissues in model group, and the intervention of GLP-1 significantly reduced lipid droplets in the hepatocytes and improved the structural damage of the liver. The expression of hepatic protein kinase Cε (PKCε) at mRNA and protein levels significantly decreased which were reversed by treating with GLP-1.CONCLUSION: GLP-1 shows good therapeutic effect on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease of rats, possibly by controlling lipid metabolism and reducing insulin resistance, which may be related to PKCε expression.     

High-fat diet affects plasma membrane GLUT4 content in skeletal muscle from Sprague-Dawley rats

AIM: To explore the change of the amount of GLUT4 protein at the plasma membrane of the rat skeletal muscle after high-fat feeding. METHODS: The animals were divided into three groups (ten for each): group I: control; group II: high-fat feeding; group III: high-fat feeding + dietary treatment. The rat model of insulin resistance (IR) was made by feeding high-fat diet for eight weeks. And then insulin-resistant rats were fed with chow diet for 4 weeks. Fasting plasma glucose and fasting serum insulin levels were measured before and after dietary treatment, respectively. Insulin treatment was achieved by intraperitoneal injection of insulin (10 unit insulin per kg body weight) 15 minutes before killing the animals. The right hindlimb skeletal muscle was rapidly dissected. Then the expression of GLUT4 protein at the plasma membrane in all the animals was assessed with Western bloting. RESULTS: The GLUT4 content at the plasma membrane in high-fat-fed rat skeletal muscle was significantly lower (about 31%) than that in controls (P<0.01). Dietary treatment partly corrected fasting blood glucose [from(6.20±0.39)mmol/L to(5.78±0.74)mmol/L]and fasting serum insulin levels [from(17.19±1.93)mU/L to(11.68±1.28)mU/L] and increased the GLUT4 content at the plasma membrane by 1.14-fold in insulin-resistant rat skeletal muscle. CONCLUSION: High-fat feeding induces IR in Sprague-Dawley rats. The mechanism may be involved in decreased cell-surface level of GLUT4 through affecting intracellular insulin signaling and then decreasing GLUT4 trafficking.     

Effect of berberine on oxidative damage and the SIRT1/p53 pathway in liver tissues of NAFLD rats

AIM:To investigate the effect of berberine on oxidative damage and silent mating type information regulation 2 homolog 1 (SIRT1)/p53 pathway in the liver tissues of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) rats and to explore the mechanism of berberine against NAFLD. METHODS:The male SD rats (n=24) were randomly divided into normal group, model group and berberine group (8 rats in each group). The rats in normal group was fed with normal diet, while the rats in model group and berberine group were fed with high-fat diet. The rats in berberine group was intragastrically administered with daily doses (100 mg/kg) of berberine for 16 weeks. The levels of liver total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA) and total anti-oxidant capatity (T-AOC) were measured. HE staining, oil red O straining and transmission electron microscopy were used to observe the histological changes of the livers. The protein levels of SIRT1, p53 and acetylated p53 (Ac-p53) were determined by Western blot. RESULTS:Compared with model group, the levels of liver TC, TG and MDA in berberine group were significantly reduced (P<0.05 or P<0.01), and the levels of SOD and T-AOC were significantly increased (P<0.01). The results of pathological observation showed that the lipid accumulation in the liver of berberine group was significantly attenuated. Compared with model group, the expression of SIRT1 was significantly increased and the expression of Ac-p53 was obviously reduced in berberine group (P<0.01). CONCLUSION:Berberine reduces hepatic steatosis and oxidative damage in NAFLD rats induce by high-fat diet, and this effect may be associated with regulation of the SIRT1/p53 signal pathway.     

Hyperlipidemia induces endothelial dysfunction in rats by increasing oxidative and nitrative stresses

AIM: To observe the effect of high-fat diet on the endothelial functions in rats. METHODS: Male SD rats (8 week old) were randomly divided into 2 groups to receive a regular or a high-fat diet, respectively. After 14 weeks, the animals were anesthetized and caval blood was collected to determine the lipid profile, fasting blood glucose and insulin levels. The aorta of the animals was isolated to observe the response of vasorelaxation to endothelium-dependent vasodilator acetylcholine (ACh) and endothelium-independent vasodilator SNAP(S-nitroso-N-acetyl penicillamine). In addition, the production of nitric oxide(NO) and superoxide, the expression of gp91^phox, and the activity of NO synthase(NOS) in the aortic tissues were measured. RESULTS: The lipid profile, the levels of fasting blood glucose and insulin were significantly increased in the plasma of rats fed with high-fat diet. A dose-dependent vasorelaxation to ACh was reduced, and the expression of gp91^phox, the production of superoxide and the activity of iNOS were enhanced in the aortic tissues of the rats fed with high-fat diet. CONCLUSION: High-fat diet induces endothelial dysfunction by increasing the oxidative and nitrative stresses.     

Radix Pseudostellariae polysaccharide attenuates high fat diet induced hepatic insulin resistance in mice

AIM: To study the role of Radix Pseudostellariae polysaccharide (RPP) in hepatic insulin resistance.METHODS: Six-week-old C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into low-fat diet (LFD) control group and high-fat diet (HFD) model group. After 16 weeks, intraperitoneal pyruvate tolerance test (IPPTT) was performed to determine the establishment of the HFD-induced hepatic insulin resistance model. HFD containing RPP (500 mg/kg) was given for 4 consecutive weeks. IPPTT, liver malondialdehyde (MDA) level and liver mitochondrial MDA level were measured. The protein levels of p-AKT (Ser473/Thr308), p-AMPK, nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), NQO1 and IκBα in the liver tissues were measured by Western blot.RESULTS: After administration of RPP, a significant reduction in the levels of blood glucose and hepatic mitochondrial MDA was observed. The levels of p-AKT (Ser473/Thr308) and p-AMPK were significantly elevated in the liver tissues. The hepatic IκBα levels were up-regulated. RPP also enhanced the expression of Nrf2 system-regulated proteins NQO1 and HO-1 in the liver tissues.CONCLUSION: Radix Pseudostellariae polysaccharides effectively reduce HFD-induced hepatic insulin resistance in C57BL/6J mice and improves liver glucose metabolism by ameliorating HFD-impaired hepatic transduction of insulin signaling, activating Nrf2-associated signaling and inhibiting the expression of inflammatory signaling proteins.     

mRNA expression of insulin receptor and leptin receptor in liver of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease from diabetic rats

AIM: To observe the pathologic changes of liver in diabetic rats and to investigate the role of mRNA expression of insulin receptor and leptin receptor in the pathogenesis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). METHODS: Twenty male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided randomly into two groups: normal control group and diabetic group. After fed with high-fat diet for 4 weeks, diabetic rats were injected with streptozotocin at a dosage of 30 mg/kg intraperitoneally to induce NAFLD model of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Then the diabetic animals were fed with high-fat diet continuously for 12 weeks. At the end of the experiment, the rats were sacrificed, the concentrations of blood glucose, serum lipid, ALT and AST were measured biochemically. The levels of serum leptin and serum insulin were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and radio immunoassay (RIA), respectively. The pathologic changes of liver were observed under light microscopy (LM) stained with HE, Sudan Ⅲ and Masson trichrome staining, respectively. The ultra-structural changes of liver were observed under transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Additionally, the mRNA expressions of PEPCK, G6Pase, insulin R and leptin R from rat livers were assayed by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. RESULTS: The levels of blood glucose, serum insulin, serum TG, ALT and AST increased significantly (P<0.01), serum TC elevated (P<0.05), and the levels of serum leptin decreased (P<0.01) in diabetic group compared to those in normal control group. Obvious liver fatty degeneration, piecemeal necrosis with accompanying inflammatory infiltration and fibrosis were found under LM. Hepatocytes pyknosis, lots of lipid deposits in cytoplasm of hepatocytes, proliferation of collagen in space of Disse were observed under TEM in diabetic group. The expression of insulin R and leptin R mRNA in liver from diabetic rats increased significantly (P<0.01) while the expression of PEPCK and G6Pase mRNA remained unchanged. CONCLUSION: Insulin resistance plays an important role in the pathogenesis of NAFLD. Low level of serum leptin, up-regulation of mRNA expression of insulin R and leptin R in liver caused by insulin resistance may be involved in this process.     

Effects of liraglutide on adiponectin and insulin resistance in rats with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

AIM：To investigate the effects of glucagon-like peptide 1 analog, liraglutide, on adiponectin and insulin resistance in the rats with diet-induced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). METHODS：Male rats were randomly divided into 3 groups:normal diet (ND) group (n=10), high-fat diet (HFD) group (n=10), and HFD with intraperitoneal injection of liraglutide group (n=10, first 12 weeks with HFD, later 4 weeks with liraglutide). All treatments continued for 16 weeks, and then the rats were killed ethically and the blood samples and liver tissues were collected. The levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), fasting blood glucose (FBG), total cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG) were detected by a biochemical automatic analyzer. The levels of free fatty acids (FFAs), fasting insulin (FINS) and adiponectin were measured by RIA and ELISA. RESULTS：Compared with HFD group, the body weight, liver index, homeostasis assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), the serum levels of TG, TC, ALT and FBG, and the liver levels of TG, TC and FFAs in the rats in liraglutide group were apparently lower, the degree of hepatic steatosis and inflammatory activity significantly decreased (P<0.05), and the level of adiponectin in the serum and liver homogenate increased ob-viously (P<0.05). The level of adiponectin in the liver homogenate was negatively correlated with the levels of FFAs in the liver homogenate. CONCLUSION:Liraglutide is beneficial for NAFLD rats to improve insulin resistance and reduce hepatic steatosis by increasing the level of adiponectin in the serum and liver tissues.     

Protective effect on hepatic insulin resistance of Astragalus polysaccharide in the high fat-fed mice model

AIM: To investigate the effect and mechanism of Astragalus polysaccharide (APS) on the amelioration of hepatic insulin resistance in high fat-fed mouse model.METHODS: C57BL/6J mice (n=26) were divided into three groups randomly: C group (an animal model for control,n=10);IR group ( an animal model of insulin resistance,n=8) and IA group (an animal model in high-fat diet with APS treatment for12 weeks,700mg·kg^-1·d^-1,ig).High-fat diet was used to induce the formation of insulin resistant.The parameters and insulin sensitivity of the animals were observed.The pathological features of the liver were presented through microscope and TEM.The expression changes of hepatic GSK3β were measured by Western blotting.RESULTS: In this study,the fat-fed mouse model of insulin resistance was established successfully.The mice in IA group responded to the 12-week APS therapy with a significant decrease in the level of blood glucose,plasma insulin,body weight,hepatic TG/FFA and improved glucose tolerance compared with those in IR group.In addition,the expression and the activity of GSK3β were lower in IA group (vs IR group，P<0.05).We also found the hepatic steatosis could be significantly alleviated with APS therapy.CONCLUSION: These results indicate that APS prevents the occurrence of insulin resistance and the hepatic steatosis induced by high-fat diet,at least in part by inhibiting the expression and activity of the hepatic GSK3β.     

Effect of insulin resistance on fatty liver in high-fat diet-fed mice

AIM: To study the influence of insulin resistance on fatty liver in the mice fed with high-fat diet (HFD).METHODS: Male 8-week-old C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into HFD group (with 60% calories by high saturated fatty acid) and control group (with chow diet).The mice in both groups were fed for 12 weeks. The body weight, liver weight, serum triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC), and blood glucose and insulin levels were measured. Hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp experiment was applied to reflect insulin sensitivity. The lipid deposition in the liver was analyzed by HE staining, Sudan IV staining and measurement of liver fat content. The phosphorylation levels of IRS1 and Akt, and the protein levels of SREBP-1 and FAS were determined by Western blot to reflect the activities of insulin signaling and lipid synthesis.RESULTS: Compared with control group, the body weight and liver weight were significantly increased in HFD group. TG and TC contents in serum and liver tissues were remarkably increased in HFD group. High-fat diet induced insulin resistance, as evidenced by increased serum insulin levels, reduced glucose infusion rate and decreases in IRS1 and Akt phosphorylation levels. In livers of HFD group, HE staining showed that the cytoplasm of hepatocytes was filled with vacuoles. Sudan IV staining also displayed that many different sizes of red lipid drops existed in the hepatocytes, and the protein levels of SREBP-1 and FAS were significantly increased. In primary normal hepatocytes with exogenous oleic acid intervention for 48 h, the phosphorylation levels of IRS1 and Akt were reduced, and the protein expression of SREBP-1 and FAS was significantly increased in a dose-dependent manner.CONCLUSION: Feeding with HFD leads to insulin resistance, resulting in activation of lipid synthesis and accumulation of lipid deposition in the liver, thus inducing fatty liver.     

GLP-1 down-regulates mRNA expression of SOCS-3 and SREBP-1c in rats with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

AIM: To investigate the effects of glucagon-like peptide-1(GLP-1) on mRNA expression of SOCS-3 and SREBP-1c in the rats with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. METHODS: Male SD rats were randomly divided into normal control(NC) group, high fat(HF) group and HF+liraglutide(Lira) group. The rats in HF group and HF+Lira group were given high-fat diet for 16 weeks. After 12 weeks of high-fat diet feeding in HF+Lira group, Lira(600 μg·kg^-1·d^-1) was intraperitoneally injected for 4 weeks. At the end of the 16th week, the rats were killed. The pathological changes of the liver were observed under optical microscope. The serum levels of alanine aminotransferase(ALT), aspartate aminotransferase(AST), triglyceride(TG) and total cholesterol(TC) were detected by automatic biochemical analyzer. TG contents of liver were measured by GPO-PAP method. The fasting insulin(FINS) was determined by ELISA, and insulin resistance index was assessed by homeostasis mode assessment(HOMA-IR). The mRNA expression of SOCS-3 and SREBP-1c in the liver tissues was detected by RT-qPCR. RESULTS: Compared with NC group, HOMA-IR, TG of liver, and the serum levels of ALT, AST, TG, TC and FINS in HF group were obviously increased(P<0.01). Compared with HF group, HOMA-IR, TG of liver, and the serum levels of ALT, AST, TG, TC and FINS in HF+Lira group were all obviously decreased(P<0.05 or P<0.01). The mRNA expression of SOCS-3 and SREBP-1c in HF group was significantly higher than that in NC group(P<0.01). The mRNA expression of SOCSV3 and SREBP-1c in HF+Lira group was significantly decreased as compared with HF group(P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Liraglutide may improve the IR and reduce TG of liver through decreasing the mRNA expression of SOCS-3 and SREBP-1c, so as to play a therapeutic role in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.     

Role of Huoxue Jiangzhi Recipe in preventing and treating fatty liver in mice

AIM: To explore the role of Huoxue Jiangzhi Recipe in preventing and treating fatty liver in mice and its underlying mechanisms. METHODS: Healthy Kunming mice were fed with high-fat diet and treated intragastrically with different doses of Huoxue Jiangzhi Recipe (compound of ginseng, panax notoginseng and rhizoma gastrodiae, named as GST) for 2 weeks. The levels of blood lipids and triglyceride (TG) in hepatic tissues were measured. Meanwhile, liver index and hepatic pathology were observed. The optimized dosage of Huoxue Jiangzhi Recipe was determined by the experiments. The mice were divided into normal control group (NC group, fed with normal diet) and model group (fed with high-fat diet). The model mice were subdivided into 3 subgroups 12 weeks later: HF group (fed continuously with high-fat diet), ND group (fed with normal diet), GSL group (fed with normal diet and treated intragastrically with GSL). The mice in NC, HF and ND groups were given distilled water by gastric perfusion. Two weeks later, all mice were killed, and blood was collected for measuring serum total cholesterol (TC),TG,high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) contents, hepatic TC, TG, malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were detected. Moreover, liver index and hepatic pathology were also observed. The mRNA expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα) and cytochrome-P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) in the liver was examined by RT-PCR. RESULTS: GST significantly decreased serum lipid, hepatic lipid and MDA levels and elevated SOD activity. Furthermore, GST markedly reduced liver index, improved hepatic adipose infiltration, increased PPARα mRNA expression and inhibited CYP2E1 mRNA expression. CONCLUSION: GST is effective in the treatment of fatty liver in mice by up-regulating PPARα, thus reducing serum and hepatic TG levels, down-regulating CYP2E1 and inhibiting lipid peroxidation.     

Effect of calories restriction on ER stress in the liver of high fat diet rats

AIM: To study the effect of calories restriction on endoplasmic reticulum(ER) chaperone protein 78-kD glucose regulated protein (GRP78) mRNA expression in the liver of high fat diet rats, in order to explore the mechanism of how calories restriction improves insulin resistance. METHODS: Wistar rats (n=24) were randomly divided into 3 groups: normal chow (NC) group, was fed free normal chow (18.94% of calories as fat) for 12 weeks; high fat group (HF) was fed high fat diet (50.55% of calories as fat) for 12 weeks; calories restriction group (CR) was fed high fat diet for 8 weeks at first, then given 50% of diet consumed by the same age NC group. Changes of body weight, height, and food intake were recorded. At the end of experiment, HOMAIR, the rate of visceral fat (including perirenal fat and epididymal fat) vs weight, plasma protein, blood lipid (including total cholesterol and triglyceride), hepatic GRP78 mRNA and hepatic histological changes (including light microscopic studies and electron microscopic studies) were detected. RESULTS: (1) Animals in HF group had an obviously elevation of fasting insulin (27.51±3.51) mU/L vs (15.46±2.25) mU/L, triglyceride (1.35±0.25) mmol/L vs (0.67±0.10) mmol/L, total cholesterol (2.59±0.34) mmol/L vs (1.41±0.28) mmol/L and insulin resistance index HOMAIR (5.85±0.23 vs 2.85±0.60) compared with NC group, and also had obviously lipid accumulations in the liver. (2) After calories restriction, all the abnormal elevated biochemical indicators were decreased to normal levels, the hepatic lipid accumulations were also improved. (3) The changes of liver ultrastructure in HF group showed rough endoplasmic reticulum enlargement, fragmentation, taking off grain, and with glycogen solution. The changes in CR group were nearly the same as those in NC group. (4) High fat diet induced the expression of GRP78 mRNA, calories restriction might reverse it. CONCLUSION: Reasonable food calories restriction is a good method to improve insulin resistance, partly due to improvement of endoplasmic reticulum stress in liver.     

Effect of short-term high-fructose feeding on liver triglyceride content and hepatic insulin sensitivity in mice

AIM: To investigate the effect of short-term high-fructose feeding on liver triglyceride content and hepatic insulin sensitivity in mice. METHODS: Male C57BL/J6 mice were divided into control group and high (HFru) fructose group. After 3-day feeding, intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test (ipGTT) was performed to evaluate whole-body insulin sensitivity. The mice were sacrificed,and the liver samples were collected for measuring the liver triglyceride content and observing the pathological changes of the liver under light microscope with HE staining. The protein levels of lipogenic enzymes in the liver tissues were measured. To evaluate the hepatic insulin sensitivity, the protein levels (expressed as the ratio) of phosphorylated Akt/total Akt (p-Akt/t- Akt) and phosphorylated GSK-3α/β/total GSK-3α/β(p- GSK-3α/β/t- GSK-3α/β) were compared between 2 groups of the mice with or without insulin injection. RESULTS: After 3-day feeding of high-fructose diet, compared with control group, the area under the curve of ipGTT and triglyceride contents in the liver tissues were significantly increased in HFru group. HE staining of the liver in the mice in HFru group showed obvious lipid droplet formation. Compared with control group, the protein expression of acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), fatty acid synthase (FAS) and stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 (SCD-1) was significantly increased in HFru group. After insulin injection, the ratio of p-Akt/t-Akt and p-GSK-3α/β/t-GSK-3α/β was significantly decreased in HFru group as compared with control group. CONCLUSION: A 3-day short-term high-fructose feeding induces liver steatosis, which is related to the increased protein expression of FAS, ACC and SCD-1. Liver steatosis occurs simultaneously with the development of hepatic insulin resistance.     

Protective effect of adiponectin on glucose and lipid metabolism by suppressing MHCⅡ expression

AIM: To investigate whether the protective effect of adiponectin on glucose and lipid metabolism is achieved through down-regulating major histocompatibility complex class Ⅱ (MHCⅡ) in the adipose tissue. METHODS: Adiponectin knockout (KO) mice and C57BL/6(WT) mice were fed with high-fat diet and standard diet for 24 weeks, respectively. The body weight, fasting blood glucose (FBG), fasting insulin (FINS), homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), hepatic histology, and class Ⅱ trans-activator (CⅡTA), histocompatibility 2 class Ⅱ antigen E beta (H2-Eb1) and cluster of differentiation 74(CD74) mRNA and MHC Ⅱ protein levels in adipose tissue were measured at sacrifice. siRNA targeting MHC Ⅱ and overexpression vector was used in 3T3-L1 cells to explore the effect of adiponectin on the protein level of MHCⅡ. RESULTS: The levels of body weight, FBG, FINS, HOMA-IR, TC, TG, LDL-C, hepatic steatosis, CⅡTA, H2-Eb1 and CD74 mRNA expression, and MHCⅡ protein expression in the KO mice were higher than those in the WT mice that fed with high-fat diet or standard diet. In 3T3-L1 cells, inhibition of adiponectin reversed MHC Ⅱ protein level induced by specific siRNA. The expression of MHC Ⅱ in adipocytes decreased after adiponectin was overexpressed. CONCLUSION: Adiponectin improves glucose and lipid metabolism through suppressing the expression of MHCⅡ in the adipose tissue.     

Effects of extract of gingko biloba on expression of glucocorticoid receptor in hepatic tissues from type 2 diabetic rats

AIM: To study the effect and mechanism of extract of ginkgo biloba (EGB) on liver glucocorticoid receptor (GR) expression in type 2 diabetic rats. METHODS: Thirty male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided randomly into three groups: normal control group (n=10), type 2 diabetic group (n=10) and ginkgo biloba treated group (n=10). After fed with high-fat feeding for 4 weeks, the later two groups were injected with streptozotocin at a dose of 30 mg/kg intraperitoneally to induce type 2 diabetic rat model. The EGB treated group was gavaged with EGB at the dose of 50 mg·kg-1·d-1 for 12 weeks. At the end of experiment, the rats were sacrificed, the blood glucose, serum lipid and blood insulin were measured. The morphology of liver tissue was observed under light microscopy with HE staining. GR mRNA expression in liver was measured by RT-PCR. The level of GR protein expression in liver tissue was detected by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: EGB reduced the levels of blood glucose, blood lipids, blood insulin in diabetic rats. EGB also relieved fatty degeneration and necrosis of the hepatic cells, ameliorated infiltration of inflammatory cells in the liver; and decreased GR expression at both mRNA and protein levels in diabetic liver. CONCLUSION: EGB may inhibit GR expression in liver of type 2 diabetic rats, which results in decreasing the level of blood glucose, blood lipid, blood insulin and relieving the liver damage in type diabetic rats.     

Correlation of serum omentin-1 level and insulin resistance in rats

AIM：To establish the insulin resistance rat model for evaluating the correlation of omentin-1 level and insulin resistance. METHODS：SPF male Wistar rats (n=30) were randomly divided into normal control group (NC, n=15) and high-fat diet group (HF, n=15). The rats in NC group were fed with basic diet. The insulin resistant model was established by feeding the rats with high-fat diet in HF group. After 10 weeks, 5 rats in each group were assessed by the technique of hyperinsulinaemic-euglycaemic clamp. After the insulin resistant model was successfully established, the body weight and fasting blood glucose were detected. The concentration of fasting serum omentin-1 was analyzed by ELISA. Fasting serum insulin was measured by radioimmunoassay. RESULTS：No difference of fasting blood glucose between the 2 groups was observed. The level of fasting serum insulin in HF group was significantly higher than that in NC group (P<0.05). The level of serum omentin-1 in HF group were significantly decreased compared with NC group (P<0.01). Pearson’s correlation analysis showed that negative correlations between serum omentin-1 and fasting serum insulin (r=-0.654,P<0.01), serum omentin-1 and free fatty acid (r=-0.446, P<0.05) was found. CONCLUSION：In rats, serum omentin-1 level began to decrease at insulin resistance stage. As serum omentin-1 level decreased, the basal insulin level increased, indicating that decreased serum omentin-1 level may be an early factor of IR, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.     

Effects of gypenosides on PCSK9 gene expression and blood lipids lowered by simvastatin

AIM: To explore the effect of gypenosides (GPs) on PCSK9 gene expression in hyperlipidemic rat liver and the blood lipids lowered by simvastatin.METHODS: Healthy male SD rats (n=60) were randomized into 5 groups:normal control group, hyperlipidemic model group, simvastatin group, GPs group and GPs combined with simvastatin group (combined group). The rats in all groups were fed high-fat diet except normal control group which were fed with ordinary diet. The rats in control group and hyperlipidemic model group were gavaged with 0.3% CMC-Na every day. The rats in GPs group were gavaged with GPs at 160 mg·kg^-1·d^-1. The rats in simvastatin group were gavaged with simvastatin at 5 mg·kg^-1·d^-1. The rats in combined group were gavaged with GPs and simvastatin. The experiment lasted for 8 weeks. The rats were anesthetized with chloral hydrate, and abdominal arterial blood samples were collected to detect the total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). The body weight and the wet weight of the livers were measured, and the liver index was calculated. The pathological changes of the livers were observed under microscope with HE staining. The expression of PCSK9 and low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) at mRNA and protein levels was determined by real-time PCR and Western blot. RESULTS: The model of hyperlipidemia rats was established successfully. Compared with model group, the levels of TC, TG and LDL-C in simvastatin group, GPs group and combined group were obviously decreased (P<0.05), and the HDL-C levels were obviously upregulated (P<0.05). Compared with model group, the liver indexes in simvastatin group, GPs group and combined group were obviously decreased (P<0.05). The pathological changes of the liver tissues showed that hepatic adipose appeared in model group, and that in simvastatin group and GPs group had different degrees of relief, especially in combined group. Compared with model group, the mRNA expression levels of PCSK9 and LDLR in simvastatin group were obviously increased, while the mRNA expression levels of PCSK9 in GPs group and combined group were obviously decreased (P<0.05), and the mRNA expression of LDLR in combined group was obviously increased (P<0.05). Compared with model group, the protein expression of PCSK9 and LDLR in simvastatin group was obviously increased, while the protein expression levels of PCSK9 in GPs group and combined group were obviously reduced, and the LDLR protein levels were obviously increased (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Gypenosides inhibit the expression of PCSK9 and increase the expression of LDLR in the liver. The combination of gypenosides and simvastatin promotes the lipid-lowering effect of simvastatin and attenuates hepatic steatosis, which may be related to inhibiting the expression of PCSK9 in the liver.