罗格列酮对多囊卵巢综合征患者卵巢黄素化颗粒细胞胰岛素受体底物1和2蛋白表达及酪氨酸磷酸化的影响

目的： 研究罗格列酮对多囊卵巢综合征(PCOS)患者卵巢黄素化颗粒细胞胰岛素受体底物-1(IRS-1)和IRS-2蛋白表达及酪氨酸磷酸化的影响。探讨罗格列酮改善PCOS卵巢局部胰岛素抵抗的作用。方法: 收集行IVF-ET治疗的11例PCOS患者（PCOS组）和15例排卵正常患输卵管性不孕患者（对照组）促排卵后黄素化颗粒细胞行体外培养，分别用不同浓度罗格列酮（0、1、10、100、1 000、10 000 nmol/L）处理细胞48 h，采用RT-PCR、免疫印迹（Western blotting）及免疫沉淀法分别检测卵巢黄素化颗粒细胞IRS-1和IRS-2mRNA的表达、蛋白含量及酪氨酸磷酸化水平。结果: （1）与对照比较，PCOS组黄素化颗粒细胞IRS-1mRNA表达及蛋白含量显著增加（P<0.05），IRS-2mRNA表达及蛋白含量显著降低（P<0.05），IRS-1和IRS-2酪氨酸磷酸化水平均显著降低（P<0.05，P<0.05）；（2）不同浓度罗格列酮作用后，PCOS组黄素化颗粒细胞IRS-1mRNA及蛋白表达显著降低，IRS-2mRNA及蛋白表达显著增加，同时IRS-1和IRS-2酪氨酸磷酸化水平也显著增加，而正常对照组黄素化颗粒细胞IRS表达及酪氨酸磷酸化水平无显著变化。结论: PCOS患者卵巢局部存在胰岛素抵抗，其原因可能与IRS-1和IRS-2蛋白表达及酪氨酸磷酸化异常有关；罗格列酮可以通过调整IRS-1和IRS-2表达失衡，提高IRS-1和IRS-2酪氨酸磷酸化水平，改善PCOS患者卵巢局部胰岛素抵抗。     

罗格列酮增加OLETF大鼠脂肪组织中STAT5b蛋白表达

目的探讨胰岛素信号分子STAT5b在胰岛素信号转导中的作用及罗格列酮改善胰岛素抵抗的机制。方法8周龄雄性OLETF大鼠分为罗格列酮治疗和未治疗组，并以同种系非糖尿病LETO大鼠为正常对照，用Western印迹技术检测各组大鼠脂肪组织中STATSb、IRβ和IRS-1的蛋白量及IR、IRS-1的酪氨酸磷酸化水平。结果在脂肪组织中，LETO大鼠STAT5b、IRβ、IRS-1的蛋白量及IR、IRS-1的酪氨酸磷酸化水平均比OLETF大鼠显著增高（P〈0．05）；罗格列酮治疗组与未治疗组的IRβ、IRS-1蛋白量比较差异不显著，而STAT5b、Tyr-P-IR和Tyr-P-IRS-1罗格列酮治疗组较未治疗组分别增加了1．2、0．75和0．6倍。结论①STAT5b参与了脂肪组织的胰岛素信号转导；②罗格列酮的胰岛素增敏作用可能与其激动PPARγ、增加STAT5b的表达、促进IR、IRS-1的酪氨酸磷酸化有关。     

高脂饮食喂养对大鼠骨骼肌细胞膜GLUT4含量的影响

目的:检测骨骼肌细胞膜GLUT4含量的改变,探讨高脂饮食喂养诱导胰岛素抵抗的受体后机制。方法:将动物分为3组:①正常对照组;②高脂饮食组;③高脂饮食+饮食控制组。通过8周高脂饮食喂养建立胰岛素抵抗大鼠模型,随后代以普通饮食继续喂养4周。用Westernblot方法检测骨骼肌细胞膜表面GLUT4蛋白表达。结果:在胰岛素刺激下,高脂饮食组大鼠骨骼肌细胞膜GLUT4蛋白表达显著少于正常对照组(减少约31%);饮食控制组骨骼肌细胞膜GLUT4蛋白表达明显高于高脂饮食组(约1.14倍)。结论:高脂喂养的方法可成功复制出胰岛素抵抗大鼠模型;高脂饮食可能通过影响胰岛素信号转导系统,使胰岛素刺激的GLUT4转位至细胞膜受阻,其在膜上的含量也降低,从而促进胰岛素抵抗的形成和发展。     

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。     

多囊卵巢综合征大鼠骨骼肌细胞胰岛素受体底物1及其丝氨酸307位点磷酸化的表达

背景：胰岛素受体底物1的丝氨酸307位点磷酸化程度的增加参与了骨骼肌胰岛素抵抗的发生。 目的：观察多囊卵巢综合征大鼠骨骼肌细胞胰岛素受体底物1的含量及其丝氨酸307位点磷酸化程度的变化。 方法：将大鼠随机分为模型组和对照组,模型组给予人绒毛膜促性腺激素联合胰岛素皮下注射,并配以高脂饮食,构建大鼠多囊卵巢综合征模型;对照组皮下注射生理盐水,正常饲料喂养。 结果与结论：干预6周后,Western blot检测结果显示,与对照组相比,模型组大鼠骨骼肌细胞胰岛素受体底物1表达量显著下降(P < 0.05),而其丝氨酸307位点磷酸化蛋白表达明显升高(P < 0.05)。结果提示,多囊卵巢综合征大鼠骨骼肌细胞中胰岛素受体底物1蛋白表达下调及其丝氨酸307位点磷酸化蛋白表达上调与多囊卵巢综合征大鼠骨骼肌胰岛素抵抗的发生密切相关。     

罗格列酮上调高脂饮食老年大鼠骨骼肌CPTⅠ和PPARγ的表达

目的 观察高脂饮食对老年大鼠骨骼肌肉碱棕榈酰基转移酶Ⅰ（CPTⅠ）和过氧化体增殖物激活受体γ（PPARγ）的表达变化及罗格列酮的干预效果。方法 大鼠随机分为对照组、高脂组（HF）、罗格列酮干预组（RSG）,每组20只。应用清醒状态下正常葡萄糖高胰岛素钳夹技术的葡萄糖输注率评价胰岛素抵抗,用RT-PCR法和Western blot印迹技术检测骨骼肌CPTⅠ和PPARγ的表达。结果 高脂组骨骼肌甘油三酯（TG）升高而葡萄糖输注率明显下降（P<0.01）,骨骼肌CPTⅠ和PPARγ表达明显降低(CPTⅠb mRNA 3.16±0.59vs1.30±0.18) (PPARγmRNA1.48±0.25vs1.04±0.33)（P<0.05, P<0.01）,罗格列酮干预组显著缓解高脂组上述变化(CPTⅠb mRNA1.30±0.18vs2.84±0.72) (PPARγmRNA1.04±0.33vs2.13±0.42)（P<0.01）。结论 罗格列酮上调高脂饮食老年大鼠骨骼肌CPTⅠ和PPARγ的表达,可能是减少骨骼肌内脂质堆积改善胰岛素抵抗的机制之一。     

高脂饮食诱导肥胖模型大鼠骨骼肌组织蛋白酪氨酸磷酸酯酶1B和胰岛素受体底物2的表达

背景：外周组织的胰岛素抵抗是2型糖尿病的主要病因。 目的：观察高脂饮食诱导的肥胖大鼠骨骼肌中蛋白酪氨酸磷酸酯酶1B和胰岛素受体底物2的表达。 方法：将20只SD大鼠随机等分为对照组和高脂组,分别给予常规饲料和高脂饲料喂养12周。 结果和结论：与对照组相比,高脂组大鼠胰岛素敏感指数显著降低(P < 0.01),大鼠葡萄糖耐量受损,胰岛素释放试验提示葡萄糖刺激的胰岛素第一时相分泌受损,骨骼肌组织中蛋白酪氨酸磷酸酯酶1B蛋白表达水平明显增加(P < 0.01),骨骼肌中胰岛素诱导的胰岛素受体底物2磷酸化程度降低(P < 0.01)。提示高脂饮食诱导的肥胖大鼠骨骼肌中蛋白酪氨酸磷酸酯酶1B蛋白表达量升高,使胰岛素诱导的胰岛素受体底物2磷酸化程度降低,可能是肥胖导致胰岛素抵抗的机制之一。   关键词：肥胖;蛋白酪氨酸磷酸酶1B;胰岛素受体底物2;骨骼肌;胰岛素抵抗 doi:10.3969/j.issn.1673-8225.2012.20.020     

苯那普利对糖尿病大鼠肾脏组织细胞膜胰岛素受体及其底物-1蛋白表达的影响

目的:研究血管紧张素转换酶抑制剂苯那普利对糖尿病大鼠肾脏组织细胞膜胰岛素受体(IR)及其底物-1(IRS-1)蛋白表达的影响。方法:实验大鼠随机分3组:对照组(n=6);糖尿病组(n=7)及糖尿病+苯那普利治疗组(n=7)。4周后观察各组体重、肾重及肾重/体重之比的变化,应用荧光分光光度法测定血浆、肾脏组织血管紧张素转换酶(ACE)活性,Western杂交检测肾脏组织细胞膜IR及IRS-1蛋白表达。结果:苯那普利治疗4周后对糖尿病肾脏肥大有显著抑制作用,对血浆、肾脏组织ACE活性抑制分别达92.00%,88.77%。Western杂交显示糖尿病状态下肾脏组织细胞膜IR及IRS-1蛋白表达比对照组分别高2.1与1.5倍,苯那普利治疗4周可使IR及IRS-1蛋白表达分别低45.74%和47.66%。结论:糖尿病状态下肾脏组织细胞膜IR及IRS-1蛋白表达增加可能与肾脏组织糖代谢异常活跃有关,苯那普利下调IR及IRS-1蛋白表达可能是其对糖尿病肾脏保护作用的重要机制之一。     

罗格列酮减轻2型糖尿病大鼠血管内皮功能受损

目的观察2型糖尿病大鼠血清内皮素(ET)和一氧化氮(NO)水平、主动脉病理变化、在主动脉的内皮型一氧化氮合酶(e NOS)蛋白和mRNA表达及罗格列酮的干预作用。方法将大鼠随机分为对照组、高脂组、糖尿病组和罗格列酮组,每组20只。制备2型糖尿病大鼠模型后,罗格列酮治疗组4 mg/kg·d灌胃给药,于治疗6周和12周时检测血糖、ET、NO及光镜下主动脉的病理变化;用Western blot和real-time PCR检测主动脉的e NOS蛋白和mRNA表达。结果 1)与对照组比较,高脂组、糖尿病组及罗格列酮治疗组ET升高,NO降低(P0.01)。12周时糖尿病组较高脂组和罗格列酮治疗组ET升高,NO降低(P0.05)。糖尿病组NO水平在12周时比6周时明显下降(P0.05)。2)12周时高脂组、糖尿病组和罗格列酮组大鼠主动脉出现不同程度病理改变。3)6周和12周时,与对照组比较,高脂组、糖尿病组和罗格列酮组主动脉e NOS的蛋白和mRNA表达下调(P0.01);糖尿病组较罗格列酮组主动脉e NOS的蛋白表达下调(P0.01)。结论罗格列酮可以缓解糖尿病组大鼠血管内皮功能受损。     

N-乙酰半胱氨酸改善高游离脂肪酸所致大鼠外周胰岛素抵抗

目的 探讨N-乙酰半胱氨酸(NAC)对高游离脂肪酸(FFA)导致的外周胰岛素抵抗的影响及机制.方法 SD大鼠随机分为对照组(NS组,12只)、脂肪乳输注组(FFA组,13只)和脂肪乳 NAC组(NAC组,12只).输注48 h,(1)测血浆硝基酪氨酸,丙二醛(MDA)和还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)水平;(2)高胰岛素正糖钳夹试验,评价外周胰岛素抵抗程度;(3)实时荧光定量PCR方法测定肌肉组织胰岛素受体底物-1(IRS-1)、胰岛素受体底物-2(IRS-2)mRNA表达.结果 (1)FFA组硝基酪氨酸,MDA高于NS组,GSH低于NS组,NAC分别改善28.6%,33.1%,22.9%(P＜0.05);(2)FFA组葡萄糖输注率(GIR)比NS组降低(P＜0.05),用NAC后GIR升高36.6%(P＜0.05);(3)FFA组肌肉组织IRS-1、IRS-2 mRNA表达比NS组降低87.7%、50.7%(P＜0.05);NAC组肌肉组织IRS-1、IRS-2表达比FFA组增加370.1%、46.2%,(P＜0.05).结论 NAC干预能改善高FFA所致的外周胰岛素信号传导障碍,逆转外周胰岛素抵抗,可能与NAC纠正机体氧化及抗氧化失衡有关.     

Dissociation of the effects of training on oxidative metabolism,glucose utilisation and GLUT4 levels in skeletal muscle of streptozotocin-diabetic rats

The effects of long-term, moderate physical exercise on in vivo glucose uptake, levels of two glucose transporter proteins (GLUT1 and GLUT4) and activities of various key enzymes of energy metabolism were measured in skeletal muscle from streptozotocin-diabetic rats. Diabetes (12–16 weeks) reduced the in vivo glucose uptake (glucose metabolic index, GMI) in muscle containing mainly type I fibres by 55% but had no effect in muscles containing mainly type IIa and IIb fibres. GMI was increased in the diabetic white skeletal muscle (mainly type IIb fibres) by more than 120%. In contrast to the complex changes in GMI, GLUT4 levels were reduced in all types of skeletal muscle from diabetic rats with no change in GLUT1 levels. Exercise training had no effects on GMI or the glucose transporter levels. Streptozotocin induced diabetes significantly reduced the oxidative capacity of skeletal muscle assayed as the activities of citrate synthase, succinate dehydrogenase and cytochrome c oxidase. Training increased the activities of oxidative enzymes, with this increase being more prominent in the diabetic animals. The present data indicate that long-term streptozotocin-induced diabetes decreases oxidative metabolic capacity and GLUT4 protein levels in skeletal muscle, but that the changes of glucose transport largely depend on the fibre type composition. Moderate training fully reverses the effect of insulinopenia and hyperglycaemia on muscle oxidative metabolism. In contrast to the previous suggestions, the expression of GLUT4 is not correlated with the capacity of oxidative metabolism in skeletal muscle of streptozotocin-diabetic rats.     

高脂膳食和跑台运动构建模型大鼠腓肠肌葡萄糖转运体4和cAMP反应元件结合蛋白的变化

BACKGROUND: Some studies indicate that PI3K/Akt signaling pathway is associated with the expression of glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) and the function of cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) in skeletal muscle. However, it is still unclear whether PI3K/Akt signaling pathway has the effects on CREB and GLUT4 in skeletal muscle of the rats with high-fat diet and treadmill exercise. OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether PI3K/Akt signaling pathway has the effects on CREB and GLUT4 in gastrocnemius muscle of the rats with high-fat diet and treadmill exercise.  METHODS: A total of 70 rats were fed with normal diet for 2 weeks, and randomly divided into common feed group (n=20) and high-fat feed group (n=50). Rats in both groups were respectively fed with common feed and high-fat feed for 8 weeks. The rats in the common feed group were equally assigned to common feed quiet group and common feed exercise group. 20 rats from the high-fat feed group whose body weight was 1.4 times of common rats were randomly and equally assigned to obese quiet group and obese exercise group. Rats in the quiet groups did not do exercises. Rats in the exercise groups received adaptive sports for 1 week and medium-intensity treadmill exercise for 8 weeks.  RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) Impairments of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway appeared in obese rats, however, the quantity of GLUT4 expression did not change obviously in gastrocnemius muscles of obese rats. The reasons for the decrease of the nuclear protein CREB level of gastrocnemius muscles of obese rats might be related to the decrease of pAkt-Ser473 level. (2) The increase of the quantity of GLUT4 expression was accompanied by significantly up-regulated pAkt-Ser473 level by exercise intervention in gastrocnemius muscles of obese rats. Exercise intervention significantly increased the expression of nuclear protein CREB in gastrocnemius muscles of chow-fed rats and obese rats, which was consistent with the changes of pAkt-Ser473. These findings suggest that pAkt-Ser473 can play an important role in the effects of high-fat diet and exercise intervention on GLUT4 and CREB protein expression in gastrocnemius muscles of obese rats.       

罗格列酮对2型糖尿病大鼠血浆resistin的影响及对肾小球硬化的干预研究

目的： 研究罗格列酮对糖尿病大鼠血清巨噬细胞因子resistin水平的影响,探讨该药物对糖尿病肾小球硬化的干预及可能的作用机制。方法： 20只10周龄Wistar大鼠随机分为糖尿病肾病（DN）模型组和罗格列酮干预组(DN+RSG),另取10只Wistar大鼠作为正常对照组(NC)。DN和罗格列酮干预组大鼠右肾切除后经过阴茎背静脉注射35 mg/kg链脲菌素（STZ）,罗格列酮组按照10 mg·kg-1·d-1的剂量给予罗格列酮灌胃,DN组及正常对照组喂饲普通饮食。STZ注射20周后留取静脉血和24h尿,后处死大鼠并取肾组织。ELISA法检测血浆白细胞介素-1(IL-1)、肿瘤坏死因子-α (TNF-α)及resistin水平,免疫比浊法测定高敏C反应蛋白(hs-CRP),并测定24 h尿微量白蛋白、空腹血糖及肾功能水平。光镜下观察肾组织的病理改变情况,免疫组化检测肾小球转化生长因子-β1(TGF-β1) 的表达,Western blotting检测Smad2磷酸化水平。 结果： 与NC组比较,DN组大鼠血浆炎症因子IL-1、TNF-α、hs-CRP及resistin的水平均显著升高;罗格列酮干预后血浆中上述指标含量均显著低于模型组。与DN组比较,罗格列酮干预组的空腹血糖无明显变化,但24 h尿微量白蛋白定量及肾功能水平均明显下降。罗格列酮干预后肾小球内TGF-β1蛋白表达及Smad2磷酸化水平较DN组显著降低,并且其肾小球系膜增生程度也较DN组明显减轻。结论： 罗格列酮具有延缓及改善糖尿病肾小球硬化的作用,该作用可能与其降低resistin及其它炎症相关因子的表达有关。针对炎症有望控制DN的发生发展。     

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。     

Gene gun bombardment-mediated expression and translocation of EGFP-tagged GLUT4 in skeletal muscle fibres in vivo

Cellular protein trafficking has been studied to date only in vitro or with techniques that are invasive and have a low time resolution. To establish a gentle method for analysis of glucose transporter-4 (GLUT4) trafficking in vivo in fully differentiated rat skeletal muscle fibres we combined the enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) labelling technique with physical transfection methods in vivo: intramuscular plasmid injection or gene gun bombardment. During optimisation experiments with plasmid coding for the EGFP reporter alone EGFP-positive muscle fibres were counted after collagenase treatment of in vivo transfected flexor digitorum brevis (FDB) muscles. In contrast to gene gun bombardment, intramuscular injection produced EGFP expression in only a few fibres. Regardless of the transfection technique, EGFP expression was higher in muscles from 2-week-old rats than in those from 6-week-old rats and peaked around 1 week after transfection. The gene gun was used subsequently with a plasmid coding for EGFP linked to the C-terminus of GLUT4 (GLUT4-EGFP). Rats were anaesthetised 5 days after transfection and insulin given i.v. with or without accompanying electrical hindleg muscle stimulation. After stimulation, the hindlegs were fixed by perfusion. GLUT4-EGFP-positive FDB fibres were isolated and analysed by confocal microscopy. The intracellular distribution of GLUT4-EGFP under basal conditions as well as after translocation to the plasma membrane in response to insulin, contractions, or both, was in accordance with previous studies of endogenous GLUT4. Finally, GLUT4-EGFP trafficking in quadriceps muscle in vivo was studied using time-lapse microscopy analysis in anaesthetised mice and the first detailed time-lapse recordings of GLUT4-EGFP translocation in fully differentiated skeletal muscle in vivo were obtained.     

罗格列酮对改善糖尿病大鼠心肌微血管内皮细胞功能的影响

目的探讨罗格列酮对糖尿病大鼠心肌微血管内皮细胞功能的影响。方法腹腔注射小剂量链脲佐菌素结合高能量饲料制备2型糖尿病大鼠模型，随机分为未治疗组与治疗组：罗格列酮4mg／（kg·d）。16周后定量测定血管内皮损伤标志物：可溶性血管内皮细胞蛋白C受体（sEPCR）、可溶性血栓调节蛋白（sTM）、血管性血友病因子（VWF）和一氧化氮（NO）的血浆浓度。分光光度法及免疫组化法分别测定心肌组织内NO浓度、NO合酶（NOS）的活性及内皮型NO合酶（cNOS）在微血管内皮细胞的表达。结果罗格列酮治疗组血糖及血浆中sEPCR、sTM、vWF显著低于未治疗组，但高于非糖尿病对照组。与未治疗组比较，罗格列酮治疗组心肌组织中NO、结构型NOS（cNOS）含量增高，eNOS阳性反应产物量增多，而诱导型NOS（iNOS）含量降低。结论罗格列酮可以降低糖尿病大鼠血糖，减轻内皮细胞损伤与改善心肌微血管内皮细胞功能，有助于减少糖尿病时心肌微血管病的发生与发展。     

DHEA improves impaired activation of Akt and PKC ζ/λ‐GLUT4 pathway in skeletal muscle and improves hyperglycaemia in streptozotocin‐induced diabetes rats

Aim: Addition of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) to a cultured skeletal muscle locally synthesizes 5α‐dihydrotestosterone (DHT). It induced activation of glucose metabolism‐related signalling pathway via protein kinase B (Akt) and protein kinase C zeta/lambda (PKC ζ/λ)‐glucose transporter‐4 (GLUT4) proteins. However, such an effect of DHEA in vivo remains unclear. Methods: Using streptozotocin (STZ)‐induced rats with type 1 diabetes mellitus, we tested the hypothesis that a single bout of DHEA injection in the rats improves hyperglycaemia and muscle GLUT4‐regulated signalling pathway. After 1 week of STZ injection (55 mg kg^?1) with male Wistar rats, fasting glucose concentrations were determined in a blood sample taken from the tail vein. Blood glucose levels were then monitored for 180 min after DHEA or sesame oil (control) was injected (n = 10 for each group). Results: Blood glucose levels decreased significantly for 30–150 min after 2 mg DHEA injection in the STZ rats. In the skeletal muscle, expression and translocation of GLUT4 protein, phosphorylation of Akt and PKC ζ/λ, and phosphofructokinase and hexokinase enzyme activities increased significantly by DHEA injection. However, DHEA‐induced improvements in Akt and PKC ζ/λ‐GLUT4 pathways were blocked by a DHT inhibitor. Conclusion: These results suggest that a single bout of DHEA injection can improve hyperglycaemia and activate the glucose metabolism‐related signalling pathway via Akt and PKC ζ/λ‐GLUT4 proteins of skeletal muscles in rats. Moreover, these results show that a DHEA‐induced increase in muscle glucose uptake and utilization might contribute to improvement in hyperglycaemia in type 1 diabetes mellitus.