丝胶对Ⅱ型糖尿病大鼠肝胰岛素受体和胰岛素受体底物-2的调控作用

目的:研究丝胶对Ⅱ型糖尿病大鼠肝细胞胰岛素受体(IR)及胰岛素受体底物-2 (IRS-2)表达的影响.方法:SD大鼠随机分为5组,分别为正常对照组、糖尿病模型组、丝胶治疗组、阳性对照组、丝胶预防组.采用链脲佐菌素连续腹腔注射法制作Ⅱ型糖尿病大鼠模型.丝胶治疗组大鼠给予丝胶(2.4g·kg-1·d-1)灌胃35 d,阳性对照组大鼠给予二甲双胍(55.33 mg·kg-1·d-1)灌胃35 d,丝胶预防组大鼠于2％链脲佐菌素(25 mg/kg)连续腹腔注射之前给予丝胶(2.4g·kg-1·d-1)灌胃35d.采用葡萄糖氧化酶法检测各组大鼠的空腹血糖;SP免疫组织化学显色、蛋白免疫印迹和RT-PCR检测肝细胞中IR和IRS2的表达.结果:丝胶可明显上调糖尿病大鼠肝胰岛素受体和胰岛素受体底物-2mRNA表达,显著增加IR和IRS-2蛋白的表达.结论:丝胶可通过上调糖尿病肝IR和IRS-2的表达,改善胰岛素抵抗,起到降低血糖的作用.     

糖尿病大鼠肺组织PI3K/Akt表达的变化及意义

目的研究糖尿病大鼠肺组织磷脂酰肌醇3激酶(PI3K)/丝氨酸-苏氨酸激酶(Akt)表达的变化及意义。方法 40只大鼠随机分为对照组(10)和糖尿病组(30),通过高糖、高脂饮食加腹腔注射小剂量链脲佐菌素(STZ)的方法建立2型糖尿病大鼠模型。糖尿病模型建立后,检测血糖、血脂的改变;采用免疫组织化学方法和Western blot方法检测各组大鼠肺组织中PI3K、Akt和p-Akt表达的变化情况。结果与对照组比较,糖尿病模型组大鼠血糖、血脂值明显增高(0.01)。免疫组织化学和Western blot结果显示,糖尿病模型组大鼠模肺组织PI3K、Akt和pAkt的表达量均显著高于对照组。结论 PI3K/Akt信号通路可能参了与糖尿病肺组织病变的发生发展。     

无生长追赶SGA幼鼠生长激素和胰岛素受体后信号交联对话的研究

目的：在生长激素（GH）和胰岛素（INS）共享受体后PI3K通路基础上探讨无生长追赶的出生低体重（NCU-SGA）幼鼠GH和INS抵抗的受体后机制，以及2者受体后信号通路的交联对话（cross-talk）。方法:取4周龄NCU-SGA雄性大鼠，采用Western印记及免疫共沉淀技术分别测定NCU-SGA幼鼠在基础状态下、胰岛素激发以及先给予GH受体后信号通路JAK2阻滞剂AG490后再行胰岛素激发后（AG490+INS组）肝组织胰岛素受体底物-1（IRS-1）及其下游信号磷酸化Akt(p-Akt)的表达。结果:（1）IRS-1信号表达： SGA鼠基础状态、INS激发后和AG490+INS组，3组间的IRS-1总蛋白及IRS-1磷酸化水平与正常对照组（C组）无显著差异（P＞0.05）。（2）p-Akt信号表达： C组基础状态时无p-Akt信号表达，INS刺激后表达明显增强。SGA鼠基础状态时p-Akt已有显著表达（慢性激活），INS刺激后表达较基础状态增加，但增殖显著低于正常对照组（P＜0.01）；AG490+INS组的p-Akt较JAK2未被阻断时明显增强（P＜0.01），但仍显著低于正常对照组（P＜0.01)，提示GH的信号干扰了INS受体后IRS-1至Akt的信号转导。结论:NCU-SGA幼鼠INS抵抗的发生与IRS-1-Akt通路受损有关，GH抵抗经GH和INS 2者受体后信号通路间的交联对话（cross-talk）使IRS-1至Akt间的信号转导解偶联,诱导和加重了INS抵抗；而PI3K-Akt可能是发生该解偶联的主要交汇点。     

丝胶对2型糖尿病大鼠海马蛋白激酶B信号转导通路的作用

目的探讨丝胶(彩色蚕茧经浸泡、水煎、浓缩获得)对2型糖尿病大鼠海马蛋白激酶B(Akt)信号转导通路的作用。方法 36只雄性SD大鼠随机分为3组(n=12):正常对照组、糖尿病模型组和丝胶治疗组。小剂量链脲佐菌素(25mg/kg)连续腹腔注射(1次/d,3d)建立2型糖尿病大鼠模型。丝胶治疗组大鼠给予丝胶灌胃[2.4g/(kg·d),35d]。TUNEL法检测海马CA1区神经元凋亡,Western blotting法和RT-PCR法检测海马Akt信号转导通路相关因子Akt、核转录因子kappa B(NF-κB)和前凋亡因子Bad蛋白和mRNA的表达。结果与正常对照组比较,糖尿病模型大鼠海马CA1区神经元的凋亡指数明显升高(P0.01);海马Akt、NF-κB的表达明显降低,Bad的表达明显升高(P0.01)。与糖尿病模型组比较,丝胶治疗组大鼠海马CA1区神经元的凋亡指数明显降低(P0.05);海马Akt、NF-κB的表达明显升高,Bad的表达明显降低(P0.01,P0.05)。结论丝胶可通过调节糖尿病模型大鼠海马Akt信号通路的异常变化减少海马神经元凋亡,对糖尿病海马损伤具有一定的拮抗作用。     

氧化苦参碱改善高脂诱导ApoE~(-/-)小鼠的胰岛素抵抗

目的:观察氧化苦参碱对高脂诱导胰岛素抵抗小鼠的作用并初步探讨可能机制。方法:Apo E~(-/-)小鼠高脂喂养16周,分为胰岛素抵抗组以及氧化苦参碱25、50、100 mg/kg组,C57BL/6J小鼠设为对照组,每组10只。灌胃给药8周后,进行小鼠葡萄糖耐量实验;测定血清空腹血糖(FBG)、甘油三酯(TG)、胆固醇(TC)、游离脂肪酸(FFA)和空腹胰岛素(FINS)的含量;实时荧光定量PCR测定肝组织胰岛素受体(INSR)、胰岛素受体底物-2(IRS-2)和葡萄糖转运子2(GLUT_2)的mRNA表达;Western blot法测定肝组织GLUT_2、INSR、IRS-2、p-INSR、p-IRS-2、磷脂酰肌醇3-激酶(PI3K)、p-PI3K、丝氨酸/苏氨酸蛋白激酶(AKT)和p-AKT的蛋白水平。结果:氧化苦参碱能不同程度降低FBG、TG、TC、FFA和FINS水平,改善胰岛素抵抗;氧化苦参碱组INSR、IRS-2和GLUT_2的mRNA表达比胰岛素抵抗组升高(P0.05),p-INSR/INSR、p-IRS-2/IRS-2、p-PI3K/PI3K、p-AKT/AKT和GLUT_2的蛋白水平也升高(P0.05)。结论:氧化苦参碱能通过PI3K/AKT通路,改善高脂诱导小鼠的胰岛素抵抗。     

宫内发育迟缓大鼠胰腺肝脏骨骼肌中胰岛素受体底物的表达

目的分析宫内发育迟缓（IUGR）大鼠胰腺、肝脏、骨骼肌中胰岛素受体底物1（IRS-1）和2（IRS-2）mRNA和蛋白水平的表达,探讨IUGR个体发生胰岛素抵抗的机制。方法采用母孕期低蛋白饮食法建立IUGR大鼠模型,以模型鼠产下的仔鼠为IUGR组;以孕期予正常饮食母鼠产下的仔鼠为对照组。应用RT-PCR法检测各组仔鼠在出生后0、3和8周时点胰腺、肝脏和骨骼肌中IRS-1、IRS-2 mRNA表达水平,采用Western blot检测IRS-1和IRS-2蛋白表达水平。检测3和8周时点仔鼠空腹血糖和血清胰岛素水平,计算胰岛素抵抗指数。结果①IUGR组出生后0和3周体重显著低于对照组;8周时点IUGR组体重显著高于对照组。②IUGR组出生后0、3和8周时点胰腺、肝脏IRS-2 mRNA和蛋白表达水平低于对照组;IRS-1 mRNA和蛋白表达水平与对照组差异无统计学意义;骨骼肌IRS-1 mRNA和蛋白表达水平均显著低于对照组;IRS-2蛋白表达水平与对照组差异无统计学意义。③至8周时点,骨骼肌IRS-1 mRNA和蛋白表达水平的下降幅度较胰腺和肝脏组织更为明显;肝脏IRS-2 mRNA和蛋白表达水平的下降幅度较胰腺和骨骼肌组织更为明显。④至8周时点,IUGR组空腹血糖水平与对照组差异无统计学意义,胰岛素水平和空腹胰岛素抵抗指数较对照组显著升高。结论 IUGR大鼠胰腺、肝脏和骨骼肌组织均存在IRS-1或IRS-2 mRNA和蛋白表达水平的下降,可能是发生胰岛素抵抗的机制之一。     

厄贝沙坦对高血压合并2型糖尿病大鼠胰岛素抵抗IRS-1/PI3K/GLUT4信号通路的影响

目的　探讨厄贝沙坦对高血压合并2型糖尿病（T2DM）大鼠胰岛素抵抗的影响及其作用。 方法　自发性高血压大鼠（SHR）采用高糖高脂饮食联合链脲佐菌素（STZ）建立T2DM模型,随机分为模型组、厄贝沙坦低、高剂量组。以正常大鼠作为对照组。厄贝沙坦低、高剂量组每日分别按30、60 mg/kg剂量灌服厄贝沙坦,对照组和模型组灌服等量生理盐水。测量大鼠收缩压（SBP）、空腹血糖（FBG）、胰岛素抵抗模型评估指数（HOMA-IR）、胰岛素受体底物-1（IRS-1）、磷脂酰肌醇（-3）激酶p85亚基（PI3Kp85）、蛋白激酶B（AKT）、磷酸化蛋白（p-AKT）及葡萄糖转运蛋白4（GLUT4）的表达。 结果　与对照组相比,模型组SBP、FBG、FINS和HOMA-IR升高（P<0.05）,IRS-1、PI3Kp85、p-AKT和GLUT4降低（P<0.05）;与模型组相比,厄贝沙坦低、高剂量上述指标均发生逆转（P<0.05）。 结论　厄贝沙坦可通过IRS-1/PI3K/GLUT4信号通路改善高血压合并T2DM大鼠胰岛素抵抗。     

PI3K/Akt信号通路及内质网应激在肝纤维化大鼠肝细胞凋亡中的作用

目的观察磷脂酰肌醇-3激酶/蛋白激酶(PI3K/Akt)信号通路及葡萄糖调节蛋白78(GRP78)、生长停滞及DNA损伤基因(CHOP/GADD153)在四氯化碳(CCl4)诱导的肝纤维化中的表达并探讨其可能的作用。方法将30只SD大鼠随机分为正常组、肝纤维化模型(皮下注射40%CCl4橄榄油溶液)4及8周组。HE染色法观察肝组织病理形态学;用real-time PCR技术检测肝脏内GRP78及CHOP mRNA的表达;用Western blot检测肝脏内PI3K/Akt信号通路中Akt1、磷酸化Akt1及内质网应激相关蛋白GRP78及CHOP的表达;用原位末端转移酶标记(TUNEL)检测细胞凋亡。结果与正常组大鼠比较,肝纤维化模型4及8周组大鼠肝脏内GRP78及CHOP mRNA和蛋白表达均明显升高(P0.05),而肝脏内Akt1和磷酸化Akt1蛋白的表达则较正常大鼠显著降低(P0.05);与正常组大鼠比较,肝纤维化模型4及8周组大鼠肝细胞凋亡显著升高(P0.05)。结论 PI3K/Akt信号通路及内质网应激可能在肝纤维化大鼠肝细胞凋亡中发挥了重要作用。     

NUCB2 siRNA对肝细胞胰岛素信号通路及细胞凋亡的影响

目的探讨靶向NUCB2基因特异性siRNA对大鼠肝细胞IAR20 NUCB2基因沉默效应、对大鼠肝细胞胰岛素信号通路及细胞凋亡的影响。方法构建合成靶向NUCB2基因的siRNA,转染IAR20细胞。Western blot检测PEPCK、G-6-Pase、InsR、IRS-1、Akt的蛋白含量及其磷酸化水平。采用流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡情况,使用RT-PCR检测p53及caspase3 mRNA水平。结果转染siRNA 48 h后,IAR20细胞NUCB2表达明显降低(P均0.05)。PEPCK、G-6-Pase蛋白及mRNA表达量明显增加,同时IR、IRS-1、AKT的磷酸化表达降低(P0.01或P0.05)。IAR20细胞凋亡明显增加,p53及caspase 3 mRNA表达及cleaved caspase 3明显增加(P0.01或P0.05)。结论 NUCB2特异性siRNA能通过下调IR/IRS-1/Akt信号通路加重大鼠肝细胞胰岛素抵抗,并能够通过上调caspase 3及p53表达增加细胞凋亡。     

胰岛素受体亚型改变及相关通路活化在糖尿病小鼠肠上皮细胞过度增殖中的作用

 目的:探讨胰岛素受体亚型改变及其相关下游通路活化情况在糖尿病小鼠肠上皮细胞异常增殖中的作用。方法:用腹腔注射链脲霉素的方法制作糖尿病小鼠模型,采用增殖细胞核抗原标记法比较糖尿病小鼠及对照组小鼠肠上皮细胞的增殖情况。利用RT-PCR法测定胰岛素受体亚型表达比例在2组中的差异。采用real-time PCR及Western blot法分别从mRNA和蛋白质水平检测2组之间胰岛素受体相关通路各分子MEK1/2、ERK1/2、PI3K以及Akt的表达情况。结果:糖尿病组小鼠的小肠上皮细胞增殖指数显著升高(P<0.05),且细胞中胰岛素受体亚型IR-A/IR-B的比值也明显升高(P<0.05)。糖尿病小鼠肠上皮细胞中MEK1、MEK2和ERK1/2的mRNA水平及磷酸化蛋白水平均高于对照组(P<0.05)。结论:糖尿病小鼠肠上皮细胞过度增殖可能与其中胰岛素受体亚型IR-A/IR-B的比值增高及其相关MEK/ERK通路的激活有关。     

Activation of protein kinase B/Akt in the periphery contributes to pain behavior induced by capsaicin in rats

Protein kinase B (PKB/Akt) is a member of the second-messenger regulated subfamily of protein kinases. It is implicated in signaling downstream of growth factors, insulin receptor tyrosine kinases and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K). Current studies indicate that nerve growth factor (NGF), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and PI3K help mediate inflammatory hyperalgesia. However, little is known about the role of PKB/Akt in the nociceptive system. In this study, we investigated whether PKB/Akt in primary sensory neurons is activated after noxious stimulation and contributes to pain behavior induced in rats by capsaicin. We demonstrated that phospho-PKB/Akt (p-PKB/Akt) is increased in dorsal root ganglia (DRG) at 5 min after intradermal injection of capsaicin. p-PKB/Akt is distributed predominantly in small- and medium-sized DRG cells. After capsaicin injection, p-PKB/Akt (473) is colocalized with isotectin-B4 (IB4), tyrosine kinase A (TrkA), and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP). Furthermore, most transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 (TRPV1) positive DRG neurons double label for p-PKB/Akt. Behavioral experiments show that intradermal injection of a PI3K (upstream of PKB/Akt) inhibitor, wortmannin, dose-dependently inhibits the changes in exploratory behavior evoked by capsaicin injection. The PKB/Akt inhibitor, Akt inhibitor IV, has the same effect. The results suggest that the PKB/Akt signaling pathway in the periphery is activated by noxious stimulation and contributes to pain behavior.     

The brown adipose cell: a model for understanding the molecular mechanisms of insulin resistance

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a complex metabolic disease that occurs when insulin secretion can no longer compensate insulin resistance in peripheral tissues. At the molecular level, insulin resistance correlates with impaired insulin signalling. This review provides new insights into the molecular mechanisms of insulin action and resistance in brown adipose tissue and pinpoints the role of this tissue in the control of glucose homeostasis. Brown adipocytes are target cells for insulin and IGF-I action, especially during late foetal development when insulin supports survival and promotes both adipogenic and thermogenic differentiation. The main pathway involved in insulin induction of adipogenic differentiation, monitored by fatty acid synthase expression, is the cascade insulin receptor substrate (IRS)-1/phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt. Glucose transport in these cells is maintained mainly by the activity of GLUT4. Acute insulin treatment stimulates glucose transport largely by mediating translocation of GLUT4 to the plasma membrane, involving the activation of IRS-2/PI3K, and the downstream targets Akt and protein kinase C zeta. Tumour necrosis factor (TNF-alpha) caused insulin resistance on glucose uptake by impairing insulin signalling at the level of IRS-2. Activation of stress kinases and phosphatases by this cytokine contribute to insulin resistance. Furthermore, brown adipocytes are also target cells for rosiglitazone action since they show a high expression of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma, and rosiglitazone increased the expression of the thermogenic uncoupling protein 1. Rosiglitazone ameliorates insulin resistance provoked by TNF-alpha, completely restoring insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in parallel to the insulin signalling cascade. Accordingly, foetal brown adipocytes represent a model for investigating insulin action, as well as for the mechanism by which rosiglitazone increase insulin sensitivity under situations that mimic insulin resistance.     

The dwarf mutation decreases high dose insulin responses in skeletal muscle,the opposite of effects in liver

The in vivo status of the proximal components of the insulin signaling system was investigated in skeletal muscle of Ames (Prop1df/Prop1df) dwarf mice. The insulin-stimulated phosphorylation of the insulin receptor (IR) was reduced by 55% in Ames dwarf mice, while IR receptor protein content was not altered. Insulin-stimulated phosphorylation of IRS-1 and IRS-2 were decreased by 79 and 51%, respectively, while IRS-1 and IRS-2 protein levels were decreased by 66 and 43%. In addition, insulin-stimulated association of IRS-1 and IRS-2 with the p85 regulatory subunit of phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase was significantly reduced (by 80 and 41%, respectively), whereas insulin-stimulated PI 3-kinase activity was reduced by 66%. However, insulin-stimulated phosphorylation of Akt was slightly reduced (by 20%), suggesting that the attenuation of insulin signaling downstream PI 3-kinase may involve other signaling molecules. Our current results demonstrate that the Prop1 mutation decreases high dose insulin responses in skeletal muscle. This alteration is remarkable because these animals are hypersensitive to insulin and display an augmented response to insulin in liver at the same signaling steps. Reduced response to insulin in skeletal muscle could be important for the control of glucose homeostasis in these animals and could have implications in their extended longevity.     

番石榴叶总三萜改善3T3-L1脂肪细胞胰岛素抵抗

 目的: 观察番石榴叶总三萜(TTPGL)对3T3-L1脂肪细胞胰岛素抵抗(IR)的改善作用,并探讨其可能的作用机制。方法: 培养3T3-L1前脂肪细胞并诱导其分化,给予TTPGL(0.3、1、3、10 μg/L),并设溶媒(0.1% DMSO)组、阳性药正钒酸钠(Van,10 μmol/L)组、正常对照(control)组和模型(model)组,药物作用48 h。MTT法检测药物对前脂肪细胞活力的影响,油红O染色法观察其对细胞分化的影响。建立IR模型后,药物处理48 h,葡萄糖氧化酶-过氧化物酶法(GOD-POD)检测IR脂肪细胞上清液中葡萄糖消耗量;比色法检测游离脂肪酸(FFA)水平;ELISA法检测脂肪因子分泌水平;real-time PCR检测IR脂肪细胞蛋白酪氨酸激酶1B(PTP1B)的mRNA表达量;Western blot检测磷酸化胰岛素受体底物1/胰岛素受体底物1(p-IRS-1/IRS-1)和磷酸化蛋白激酶B/蛋白激酶B(p-Akt/Akt)的蛋白水平。结果: 与溶媒组比较,TTPGL显著提高了前脂肪细胞的活力并抑制其分化(P < 0.01)。与IR溶媒组比较,无论在基础状态下还是胰岛素刺激状态下,TTPGL(1-10 μg/L)均显著地促进了IR脂肪细胞葡萄糖消耗(P < 0.01);TTPGL(0.3~3 μg/L)显著抑制FFA的产生(P < 0.01)。与模型组比较,TTPGL(0.3和3 μg/L)显著增加IR脂肪细胞脂联素的分泌(P < 0.05)并抑制TNF-α的分泌(P < 0.01),TTPGL(3 μg/L)对抵抗素的分泌有显著抑制作用(P < 0.05),对瘦素分泌无显著作用;TTPGL(3 μg/L)显著下调IR脂肪细胞PTP1B的mRNA表达(P < 0.01);TTPGL(3 μg/L)极显著上调p-IRS-1/IRS-1的水平;TTPGL(0.3和3 μg/L)显著上调p-Akt/Akt的蛋白水平(P < 0.05)。结论: TTPGL具有显著改善3T3-L1脂肪细胞IR的作用,其作用机制可能与TTPGL下调了IR脂肪细胞PTP1B mRNA的表达、同时上调p-IRS-1/IRS-1和p-Akt/Akt的蛋白水平有关。     

Can insulin resistance be reversed by insulin therapy?

Insulin resistance (IR) is a state of decreased tissue sensitivity to insulin, which commonly exists in patients with metabolic syndrome and diabetes, and leads to compensatory hyperinsulinemia to maintain normoglycemia. It is characterized by pathway-specific inhibition of the PI3K/Akt signaling, which concerns the positive actions of insulin including glucose and lipid metabolism, while other pathways including the Ras/MAPK pathway, which accounts for the negative actions of insulin such as stimulation of smooth muscle proliferation and secretion of endothelin-1, stay unaffected. Thus it was concerned that insulin therapy may exacerbate the negative effects of insulin in IR states. However, treatment of diabetes with insulin in clinical practice showed uniformly beneficial rather than harmful results. So we hypothesize that insulin therapy may itself reverse insulin resistance, thus avoiding magnification of the MAPK pathway-related deleterious effects. The mechanisms may include the recently revealed anti-inflammatory effects of insulin as well as its conventional glucose and free fatty acids lowering effects, and possibly may also include changes in body fat distribution and plasma adiponectin level. Whether there are direct mechanisms that insulin therapy modulates insulin sensitivity remains to be investigated.     

PI3K/Akt信号通路上调急性肺损伤大鼠肺泡上皮钠通道表达

目的 探讨PI3K/Akt信号通路对急性肺损伤(ALI)大鼠肺泡上皮钠通道(ENaC)α、β和γ亚基表达的影响.方法 成年SD大鼠随机分为对照组、ALI组(脂多糖)、胰岛素组及渥曼青霉素组,每组5只.观察肺组织病理改变,收集支气管肺泡灌洗液(BALF),测量总肺水含量,RT-PCR和Western blot测定ENaC mRNA和蛋白、p-Akt表达.结果 胰岛素组BALF蛋白含量、髓过氧化物酶(MPO)活性、总肺水含量较ALI组显著减少(P＜0.05),渥曼青霉素组BALF蛋白含量、MPO活性及总肺水含量较胰岛素组显著增加(P＜0.05).ALI组α-、β-和γ-ENaC蛋白表达显著低于对照组(0.33 ±0.06 vs 1.27 ±0.07,0.18±0.04 vs 0.72±0.04,0.37±0.04 vs0.69±0.05)(P＜0.05).胰岛素组蛋白表达α-ENaC(2.19 ±0.04)、β-ENaC(1.18 ±0.07)和γ-ENaC(1.18 ±0.08)显著高于ALI组(P＜0.05).渥曼青霉素组蛋白表达α-ENaC(0.86 ±0.09)、β-ENaC (0.58±0.05)和γ-ENaC (0.59±0.02)显著低于胰岛素组(P＜ 0.05).胰岛素组ENaC mRNA和p-Akt较ALI组显著升高(P＜0.05).渥曼青霉素组ENaC mRNA和p-Akt较胰岛素组显著降低(P＜0.05).结论 激活H3K/Akt通路上调3种ENaC亚基表达,从而清除肺水肿液.     

Beneficial effects of Ginkgo biloba extract on insulin signaling cascade,dyslipidemia, and body adiposity of diet-induced obese rats

Ginkgo biloba extract (GbE) has been indicated as an efficient medicine for the treatment of diabetes mellitus type 2. It remains unclear if its effects are due to an improvement of the insulin signaling cascade, especially in obese subjects. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of GbE on insulin tolerance, food intake, body adiposity, lipid profile, fasting insulin, and muscle levels of insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS-1), protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP-1B), and protein kinase B (Akt), as well as Akt phosphorylation, in diet-induced obese rats. Rats were fed with a high-fat diet (HFD) or a normal fat diet (NFD) for 8 weeks. After that, the HFD group was divided into two groups: rats gavaged with a saline vehicle (HFD+V), and rats gavaged with 500 mg/kg of GbE diluted in the saline vehicle (HFD+Gb). NFD rats were gavaged with the saline vehicle only. At the end of the treatment, the rats were anesthetized, insulin was injected into the portal vein, and after 90s, the gastrocnemius muscle was removed. The quantification of IRS-1, Akt, and Akt phosphorylation was performed using Western blotting. Serum levels of fasting insulin and glucose, triacylglycerols and total cholesterol, and LDL and HDL fractions were measured. An insulin tolerance test was also performed. Ingestion of a hyperlipidic diet promoted loss of insulin sensitivity and also resulted in a significant increase in body adiposity, plasma triacylglycerol, and glucose levels. In addition, GbE treatment significantly reduced food intake and body adiposity while it protected against hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia in diet-induced obesity rats. It also enhanced insulin sensitivity in comparison to HFD+V rats, while it restored insulin-induced Akt phosphorylation, increased IRS-1, and reduced PTP-1B levels in gastrocnemius muscle. The present findings suggest that G. biloba might be efficient in preventing and treating obesity-induced insulin signaling impairment.