Metformin enhances insulin signalling in insulin-dependent and-independent pathways in insulin resistant muscle cells

1 Metformin lowers blood glucose levels in type 2 diabetic patients. To evaluate the insulin sensitizing action of metformin on skeletal muscle cells, we have used C2C12 skeletal muscle cells differentiated in chronic presence or absence of insulin. 2 Metformin was added during the last 24 h of differentiation of the C2C12 myotubes. Insulin-stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of insulin receptor (IR) and insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) was determined. 3 Chronic insulin treatment resulted in 60 and 40% reduction in insulin-stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of IR and IRS-1, respectively. Treatment with metformin was able to increase the tyrosine phosphorylation of IR and IRS-1 by 100 and 90% respectively. 4 Chronic insulin treatment drastically reduced (45%) insulin-stimulated phosphatidyl inositol 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase) activity. Metformin treatment restored PI 3-kinase activity in insulin-resistant myotubes. 5 Insulin-stimulated glucose uptake was impaired in chronically insulin-treated myotubes. Metformin increased basal glucose uptake to significant levels (P<0.05), but metformin did not increase insulin-stimulated glucose transport. 6 All the three mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) were activated by insulin in sensitive myotubes. The activation of p38 MAPK was impaired in resistant myotubes, while ERK and JNK were unaffected. Treatment with metformin enhanced the basal activation levels of p38 in both sensitive and resistant myotubes, but insulin did not further stimulate p38 activation in metformin treated cells. 7 Treatment of cells with p38 inhibitor, SB203580, blocked insulin- and metformin-stimulated glucose uptake as well as p38 activation. 8 Since the effect of metformin on glucose uptake corresponded to p38 MAPK activation, this suggests the potential role p38 in glucose uptake. 9 These data demonstrate the direct insulin sensitizing action of metformin on skeletal muscle cells.     

Suppression of insulin signalling by a synthetic peptide KIFMK suggests the cytoplasmic linker between DIII-S6 and DIV-S1 as a local anaesthetic binding site on the sodium channel

1. Acetyl-KIFMK-amide (KIFMK) restores fast inactivation to mutant sodium channels having a defective inactivation gate. Its binding site with sodium channels could be considered to be the cytoplasmic linker (III-IV linker) connecting domains III and IV of the sodium channel alpha subunit. There is a close resemblance of the amino-acid sequences between the III-IV linker and the activation loop of the insulin receptor (IR). This resemblance of the amino-acid sequences suggests that KIFMK may also modulate insulin signalling. In order to test this assumption, we studied the effects of KIFMK and its related (KIYEK, KIQMK, and DIYET) and unrelated (LPFFD) peptides on tyrosine phosphorylation or dephosphorylation of IR in vitro. 2. Purified IR was phosphorylated in vitro with insulin in the presence of various synthetic peptides and lignocaine. The phosphorylation level of IR was then evaluated after SDS-PAGE separation, followed by Western blot analysis with antiphosphotyrosine antibody. 3. KIFMK and KIYEK inhibited insulin-stimulated autophosphorylation of IR. Lignocaine showed similar effects, but at a higher order of concentration. KIYEK and DIYET, but not KIFMK, dephosphorylated the phosphorylated tyrosine residues. The structurally unrelated peptide LPFFD had no effect either on phosphorylation or dephosphorylation of IR. 4. These results indicate that KIFMK, KIYEK, and lignocaine bind with the autophosphorylation sites of IR. 5. The present findings also suggest that KIFMK and lignocaine bind with the III-IV linker of sodium channel alpha subunit.     

Ramipril increases the protein level of skeletal muscle IRS-1 and alters protein tyrosine phosphatase activity in spontaneously hypertensive rats

To investigate mechanisms by which angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE)-inhibition increases insulin sensitivity, spontaneously hypertensive (SH) rats were treated with or without ramipril (1 mg/kg per day) for 12 weeks. Insulin binding and protein levels of insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1), p85-subunit of phosphatidylinositol 3'-kinase (p85) and Src homology 2 domain-containing phosphatase-2 (SHP2) were then determined in hindlimb muscle and liver. Additionally, protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTPase) activities towards immobilized phosphorylated insulin receptor or phosphorylated IRS-1 of membrane (MF) and cytosolic fractions (CF) of these tissues were measured. Ramipril treatment increased IRS-1-protein content in muscle by 31+/-9% (P<0.05). No effects were observed on IRS-1 content in liver or on insulin binding or protein expression of p85 or SHP2 in both tissues. Ramipril treatment also increased dephosphorylation of insulin receptor by muscle CF (22.0+/-1.0%/60 min compared to 16.8+/-1.5%/60 min; P<0.05), and of IRS-1 by liver MF (37.2+/-1.7%/7.5 min compared to 33.8+/-1.7%/7.5 min; P<0.05) and CF (36.8+/-1.0%/7.5 min compared to 33.2+/-1.0%/7.5 min; P<0.05). We conclude that the observed effects of ACE-inhibition by ramipril on the protein expression of IRS-1 and on PTPase activity might contribute to its effect on insulin sensitivity.     

Rosiglitazone ameliorates abnormal expression and activity of protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B in the skeletal muscle of fat-fed, streptozotocin-treated diabetic rats

Protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) acts as a physiological negative regulator of insulin signaling by dephosphorylating the activated insulin receptor (IR). Here we examine the role of PTP1B in the insulin-sensitizing action of rosiglitazone (RSG) in skeletal muscle and liver. Fat-fed, streptozotocin-treated rats (10-week-old), an animal model of type II diabetes, and age-matched, nondiabetic controls were treated with RSG (10 micromol kg(-1) day(-1)) for 2 weeks. After RSG treatment, the diabetic rats showed a significant decrease in blood glucose and improved insulin sensitivity. Diabetic rats showed significantly increased levels and activities of PTP1B in the skeletal muscle (1.6- and 2-fold, respectively) and liver (1.7- and 1.8-fold, respectively), thus diminishing insulin signaling in the target tissues. We found that the decreases in insulin-stimulated glucose uptake (55%), tyrosine phosphorylation of IRbeta-subunits (48%), and IR substrate-1 (IRS-1) (39%) in muscles of diabetic rats were normalized after RSG treatment. These effects were associated with 34 and 30% decreases in increased PTP1B levels and activities, respectively, in skeletal muscles of diabetic rats. In contrast, RSG did not affect the increased PTP1B levels and activities or the already reduced insulin-stimulated glycogen synthesis and tyrosine phosphorylation of IRbeta-subunits and IRS-2 in livers of diabetic rats. RSG treatment in normal rats did not significantly change PTP1B activities and levels or protein levels of IRbeta, IRS-1, and -2 in diabetic rats. These data suggest that RSG enhances insulin activity in skeletal muscle of diabetic rats possibly by ameliorating abnormal levels and activities of PTP1B.     

2型糖尿病小鼠骨骼肌细胞受体后胰岛素信号转导蛋白的下降调节

目的研究2型糖尿病小鼠骨骼肌细胞受体后胰岛素信号转导蛋白:胰岛素受体底物-1(IRS-1)、磷脂酰肌醇3激酶(PI3K)、蛋白激酶B(PKB,Akt)的蛋白表达和磷酸化情况。方法雌性C57BL/6J小鼠予高脂、高糖膳食,制成2型糖尿病动物模型,提取完整的骨骼肌用胰岛素刺激2、15和30min。Westernblot技术检测IRS-1、PI3-Kp85α、PKB的蛋白水平,免疫沉淀技术检测IRS-1酪氨酸磷酸化水平。结果对照组、2型糖尿病模型组骨骼肌细胞的信号转导蛋白IRS-1、PKB未发现数量上的不同,2型糖尿病模型组的PI3Kp85的蛋白比对照组明显减少(P<0·05),在基础状态下,对照组和2型糖尿病模型组的IRS-1、PKB磷酸化水平相似,但2型糖尿病模型组胰岛素刺激后的这些蛋白磷酸化反应曲线上升幅度较之对照组明显降低。结论2型糖尿病小鼠骨骼肌细胞存在受体后胰岛素信号传导蛋白的下降调节。     

Effect of lignocaine on chick biventer cervicis skeletal muscle

The effect of lignocaine (0.01-100 micrograms.ml-1) on amplitude of indirectly and directly-elicited twitch contractions and on contractures produced by acetylcholine (ACh) (0.1-10 mM) and tetraethylammonium (TEA) (1.2-12 mM) was studied in isolated biventer cervicis skeletal muscle of the chick. Lignocaine (0.01-0.9 microgram.ml-1) increased the amplitude of the indirectly-elicited twitch contractions. At high concentrations (10-100 micrograms.ml-1), lignocaine decreased or blocked the twitch tension and produced a contracture in the chick skeletal muscle. Lignocaine also reduced or blocked the directly-elicited twitch contractions in a dose-dependent manner. Lignocaine (10 micrograms.ml-1) reduced the ACh-induced contracture whereas it increased that produced by TEA. Physostigmine (2 micrograms.ml-1) increased the stimulating effect of lignocaine, at low concentrations. However, repeated exposures to lignocaine followed by physostigmine resulted in both increase and decrease in the indirectly-elicited twitch contractions. It was concluded that lignocaine had a dual action at the neuromuscular junction. In low concentrations, lignocaine increases the twitch tension, possibly by an anticholinesterase action, and in high concentrations it reduces or blocks the twitch tension, produces a contracture in the muscle, and reduces the ACh-induced contractures, whereas it increases the TEA-induced responses. Some of these effects of lignocaine may be interpreted in terms of effects on excitation-contraction coupling in muscle.     

Prolonged exposure to resistin inhibits glucose uptake in rat skeletal muscles

AIM: To assess the effects and mechanisms of the action of resistin on basal and insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in rat skeletal muscle cells. METHODS: Rat myoblasts (L6) were cultured and differentiated into myotubes followed by stimulation with single commercial resistin (130 ng/mL, 0-24 h) or cultured supernatant from 293-T cells transfected with resistin-expressing vectors (130 ng/mL, 0-24 h). Liquid scintillation counting was used to quantitate [3H] 2-deoxyglucose uptake. The translocation of insulin-sensitive glucose transporters GLUT4 and GLUT1, synaptosomal-associated protein 23 (SNAP23) and GLUT protein content, as well as the tyrosine phosphorylation status and protein content of insulin receptor substrate (IRS)-1, were assessed by Western blotting. RESULTS: Treatment of L6 myotubes with single resistin or cultured supernatant containing recombinant resistin reduced basal and insulin-stimulated 2-deoxyglucose uptake and impaired insulin-stimulated GLUT4 translocation. While SNAP23 protein content was decreased, no effects were noted in GLUT4 or GLUT1 protein content. Resistin also diminished insulin-stimulated IRS-1 tyrosine phosphorylation levels without affecting its protein content. The effects of recombinant resistin from 293-T cells transfected with resistin-expressing vectors were greater than that of single resistin treatment. CONCLUSION: Resistin regulated IRS-1 function and decreased GLUT4 translocation and glucose uptake in response to insulin. The downregulated expression of SNAP23 may have been partly attributed to the decrease of glucose uptake by resistin treatment. These observations highlight the potential role of resistin in the pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes related to obesity.     

Anti-diabetic properties of chrysophanol and its glucoside from rhubarb rhizome

An ethanol extract of rhubarb rhizome exhibited marked glucose transport activity in differentiated L6 rat myotubes. Activity-guided fractionation resulted in the isolation of two anthraquinones, chrysophanol-8-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (1) and chrysophanol (2). The anti-diabetic effect was examined by glucose transport activity, glucose transporter 4 (Glut4) expression in myotubes, and the level of insulin receptor (IR) tyrosine phosphorylation as influenced by tyrosine phosphatase 1B, each of which is a major target of diabetes treatment. Chrysophanol-8-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside up to 25 microM dose-dependently activated glucose transport in insulin-stimulated myotubes. Increased tyrosine phosphorylation of IR due to tyrosine phosphatase 1B inhibitory activity with an IC50 value of 18.34+/-0.29 microM and unchanged Glut4 mRNA levels was observed following chrysophanol-8-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside treatment. Chrysophanol up to 100 microM exerted mild glucose transport activity and elevated the tyrosine phosphorylation of IR via tyrosine phosphatase 1B inhibition (IC50=79.86+/-0.12 microM); Glut4 mRNA expression was also significantly increased by 100 microM. The ED50 values of the two compounds were 59.38+/-0.66 and 79.69+/-0.03 microM, respectively. Therefore, these two anthraquinones from rhubarb rhizome, chrysophanol-8-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside and chrysophanol, have mild cytotoxicity and anti-diabetic properties and could play metabolic roles in the insulin-stimulated glucose transport pathway.     

Homoplantaginin modulates insulin sensitivity in endothelial cells by inhibiting inflammation

Recent data have indicated that inflammation plays an important role in the development of insulin resistance. The present study aims at examining the activity of homoplantaginin, a flavonoid from a traditional Chinese medicine Salvia plebeia R. BR., on palmitic acid (PA)-induced insulin sensitivity and the underlying mechanisms of its anti-infammatory properties in the endothelial cells. Pre-treatment of homoplantaginin on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) significantly inhibited PA induced tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) mRNA expression, and inhibitory κB kinase beta (IKKβ) and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) p65 phosphorylation. To the PA-impaired insulin-dependent tyrosine phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) and decrease in nitric oxide (NO) production, pretreatment of homoplantaginin could effectively reverse the effects of PA. Additionally, homoplantaginin significantly modulated the Ser/Thr phosphorylation of IRS-1, improved phosphorylation of Akt and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), and increased NO production in the presence of insulin. Taken together, our results demonstrated that homoplantaginin ameliorates endothelial insulin resistance by inhibiting inflammation and modulating cell signalling via the IKKβ/IRS-1/pAkt/peNOS pathway, suggesting it may be used for the prevention and treatment of endothelial dysfunction associated with insulin resistance.     

Regulation of lipid raft proteins by glimepiride- and insulin-induced glycosylphosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C in rat adipocytes

The insulin receptor-independent insulin-mimetic signalling provoked by the antidiabetic sulfonylurea drug, glimepiride, is accompanied by the redistribution and concomitant activation of lipid raft-associated signalling components, such as the acylated tyrosine kinase, pp59(Lyn), and some glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored proteins (GPI-proteins). We now found that impairment of glimepiride-induced lipolytic cleavage of GPI-proteins in rat adipocytes by the novel inhibitor of glycosylphosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C (GPI-PLC), GPI-2350, caused almost complete blockade of (i) dissociation from caveolin-1 of pp59(Lyn) and GPI-proteins, (ii) their redistribution from high cholesterol- (hcDIGs) to low cholesterol-containing (lcDIGs) lipid rafts, (iii) tyrosine phosphorylation of pp59(Lyn) and insulin receptor substrate-1 protein (IRS-1) and (iv) stimulation of glucose transport as well as (v) inhibition of isoproterenol-induced lipolysis in response to glimepiride. In contrast, blockade of the moderate insulin activation of the GPI-PLC and of lipid raft protein redistribution by GPI-2350 slightly reduced insulin signalling and metabolic action, only. Importantly, in response to both insulin and glimepiride, lipolytically cleaved hydrophilic GPI-proteins remain associated with hcDIGs rather than redistribute to lcDIGs as do their uncleaved amphiphilic versions. In conclusion, GPI-PLC controls the localization within lipid rafts and thereby the activity of certain GPI-anchored and acylated signalling proteins. Its stimulation is required and may even be sufficient for insulin-mimetic cross-talking to IRS-1 in response to glimepiride via redistributed and activated pp59(Lyn).     

吡格列酮改善氧化应激导致的脂肪细胞胰岛素抵抗

目的:观察吡格列酮对氧化应激导致的脂肪细胞胰岛素抵抗的作用,初步探讨其机制。方法:葡萄糖氧化酶(GO)作用培养于高糖DMEM的3T3-L1细胞产生H2O212小时后观察胰岛素刺激的葡萄糖摄取(ISGU)和胰岛素信号通路主要分子的活化状态以及吡格列酮的影响。结果:GO导致的氧化应激抑制ISGU和IRS-1酪氨酸及PKB磷酸化,其机制可能与氧化应激导致IRS-1丝氨酸307磷酸化有关;氧化应激的作用可被吡格列酮部分逆转。结论:吡格列酮可以减轻氧化应激导致的脂肪细胞胰岛素抵抗,改善胰岛素信号传导。     

罗格列酮通过与IRS—2相关的磷脂酰肌醇3激酶途径逆转慢性高游离脂肪酸引起的胰岛素分泌

目的:研究罗格列酮逆转由慢性高浓度游离脂肪酸引起的胰岛素分泌的效果并探讨介导其作用的可能信号转导机制。方法:分离纯化的SD大鼠胰岛细胞用游离脂肪酸2mmol/L或/和加用罗格列酮(0.05-10μmol/L)培养。胰岛素释放功能采用放免法测定,胰岛素受体底物-2(IRS-2)蛋白的表达水平以及IRS-2与磷脂酰肌醇3激酶(PI 3K)的p85亚单位的相关作用通过免疫沉淀和蛋白质印迹分析法检测。结果:与对照组比较,对胰岛β细胞高浓度游离脂肪酸的慢性温育显著增加了基础胰岛素分泌而显著降低了葡萄糖刺激的胰岛素分泌(P<0.01),IRS-2蛋白的表达水平降低了65％(P<0.01),IRS-2与p85的相关作用降低了73％(P<0.01)。当加入罗格列酮继续培养后,基础和葡萄糖刺激的胰岛素分泌均恢复到接近对照水平(P<0.01,P<0.05),IRS-2蛋白的表达水平增加了2.6倍(P<0.01),IRS-2与p85的相关作用增加了2.7倍(P<0.01)。PI 3K抑制物wortmannin 100 nmol/L抑制了罗格列酮逆转胰岛素分泌的作用。结论:罗格列酮逆转高浓度游离脂肪酸引起的胰岛素分泌改变,可能是通过与IRS-2相关的磷脂酰肌醇3激酶途径所介导。     

Myocardial uptake of lignocaine: pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in the isolated perfused heart of the rabbit.

1. The uptake kinetics and pharmacodynamics of lignocaine were studied in isolated perfused heart of the rabbit. 2. Six hearts were perfused with increasing concentrations of lignocaine in a modified Krebs-Henseleit buffer. The effluent concentration together with the increase in QRS duration were measured during lignocaine infusion and during 20 min after cessation of lignocaine infusion. 3. Lignocaine disposition and elimination were best described by a two-compartment open model. Terminal half-life was 11.0 +/- 2.9 min. The unidirectional transfer was slower from central to peripheral compartment than from peripheral to central compartment (T1/2.12 = 42.6 +/- 10.5 min whereas T1/2.21 = 10.7 +/- 2.8 min). The myocardium/perfusate concentration-ratio was 4.7 +/- 0.4. 4. The pharmacodynamic effect was best described in the central compartment by using the Hill equation. Calculated maximum QRS duration (Emax) was 77 +/- 8 ms. Emax was also directly measured in four additional rabbits by infusing ten times the dose of lignocaine used in the main experiment: the value of Emax measured in these conditions was 92.5 +/- 9.6 ms, i.e. a QRS widening of 150%. The steady-state perfusate concentration producing half the effect (C50) was 15.7 +/- 7.6 micrograms ml-1. 6. In conclusion, the specific lignocaine binding leading to increase in QRS duration appeared to be more closely related to the vascular stream than non specific binding leading to a deeper accumulation process.     

Reduction of oral bioavailability of lignocaine by induction of first pass metabolism in epileptic patients.

1. The pharmacokinetics of lignocaine following single oral and intravenous doses have been investigated in six normal volunteers and in six patients receiving chronic antiepileptic drug therapy. 2. After intravenous administration, serum lignocaine levels declined biexponentially in all subjects. The serum clearance (mean +/- s.d.) was slightly higher in the patients (0.85 +/- 0.09 v 0.77 +/- 0.07 l/min) but the difference was not statistically significant. 3. Lignocaine bioavailability after oral administration was more than two-fold in the patients than in the normal subjects (0.15 +/- 0.06 v 0.37 +/- 0.09, P < 0.001). 4. It is suggested that the reduced bioavailability of lignocaine in the patients is a consequence of stimulation of hepatic first-pass metabolism by antiepileptic drugs.     

Effects of procaine and lignocaine on electrical and mechanical activity of smooth muscle of sheep carotid arteries

1 Procaine in concentrations up to 20 mM facilitated or induced electrical and mechanical activity in arterial smooth muscle, even with tetrodotoxin present.2 Procaine (up to 20 mM) caused relaxation when electrical activity was blocked by prior potassium depolarization.3 Procaine (1 mM) reduced mechanical responses to noradrenaline (1 muM) which were not accompanied by action potentials. It generally reduced mechanical responses to noradrenaline (1 mM) while increasing electrical activity induced by this.4 Lignocaine (1 mM) did not facilitate electrical activity significantly; it relaxed arteries in saline or potassium-rich solution and reduced mechanical responses to noradrenaline.5 High concentrations of procaine (at least 80 mM) or lignocaine (at least 20 mM) blocked electrical activity and caused contraction followed by relaxation and complete unresponsiveness.     

Lignocaine and indocyanine green kinetics in patients following myocardial infarction.

1. Blood clearances of lignocaine and indocyanine green together with indocyanine green half-lives were measured in 17 post-myocardial infarct patients (one patient was studied twice) between 8 h and 36 h after starting intravenous lignocaine infusions for the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias. 2. Mean +/- s.d. values of lignocaine clearance (ml min-1 kg-1) were higher in patients without heart failure (11.8 +/- 2.6, n = 9) than in those with heart failure (7.2 +/- 1.9, n = 9) (P < 0002). 3. Clearances of lignocaine and indocyanine green were not correlated but lignocaine clearance was directly related to the reciprocal of indocyanine green half-life (rs = 0.67, P < 0.01). 4. In eight patients who received both lignocaine and indocyanine green and in a further five patients received only lignocaine and whose lignocaine infusions lasted 24h or more, a 25% rise in lignocaine concentrations was observed between 8-12h and 24-28h. 5. The mean +/- s.d. post-infusion terminal half-life of lignocaine in four patients whose lignocaine infusions lasted 30h or longer was 7.2 +/- 2.1 h. 6. Heart failure was associated with greater changes in lignocaine kinetics than in indocyanine green kinetics. 72% of the variance between observed and predicted lignocaine clearances could be accounted for by multiple linear regression analysis incorporating indocyanine green half-life and the presence or absence of heart failure. Indocyanine green half-life contributed only 17% of the variance indicating that by itself it is of limited value in predicting lignocaine requirements. 7. Lignocaine kinetics during and after prolonged intravenous infusion were not predicted by data obtained after intravenous bolus injection. 8. A lowering of lignocaine dosage may be clinically desirable in the presence of heart failure and if an infusion lasts longer than 24 h.     

Hypoglycemic effect of Astragalus polysaccharide and its effect on PTP1B

Aim: To examine the effects ofAstragalus polysaccharide (APS), a component of an aqueous extract ofAstragalus membranaceus roots, on protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B), a negative regulator of insulin-receptor (IR) signal transduction, and its potential role in the amelioration of insulin resistance. Methods: Ten-week-old fat-fed streptozotocin (STZ)-treated rats, an animal model of type Ⅱ diabetes mellitus (TIIDM), were treated with APS (400 mg/kg po) for 5 weeks. Insulin sensitivity was identified by the insulin-tolerance test. Further analyses on the possible changes in insulin signaling occurring in skeletal muscle and liver were performed by immunoprecipitation or Western blotting. PTP1B activity was measured by an assay kit. Results: The diabetic rats responded to APS with a significant decrease in body weight, plasma glucose, and improved insulin sensitivity. The activity and expression of PTP1B were elevated in the skeletal muscle and liver of TIIDM rats. Thus the insulin signaling in target tissues was diminished. APS reduced both PTP1B protein level and activity in the muscle, but not in the liver of TIIDM rats. Insulin-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of the IR β-subunit and insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) were increased in the muscle, but not in the liver of APS-treated TIIDM rats. There was no change in the activity or expression of PTP1B in APS-treated normal rats, and blood insulin levels did not change in TIIDM rats after treatment with APS. Conclusion: APS enables insulin-sensitizing and hypoglycemic activity at least in part by decreasing the elevated expression and activity of PTP1B in the skeletal muscles of TIIDM rats.     

Down-regulation of cell surface insulin receptor and insulin receptor substrate-1 phosphorylation by inhibitor of 90-kDa heat-shock protein family: endoplasmic reticulum retention of monomeric insulin receptor precursor with calnexin in adrenal chromaffin cells

Treatment (>/=6 h) of cultured bovine adrenal chromaffin cells with geldanamycin (GA) or herbimycin A (HA), an inhibitor of the 90-kDa heat-shock protein (Hsp90) family, decreased cell surface (125)I-insulin binding. The effect of GA was concentration (EC(50) = 84 nM)- and time (t(1/2) = 8.5 h)-dependent; GA (1 microM for 24 h) lowered the B(max) value of (125)I-insulin binding by 80%, without changing the K(d) value. Western blot analysis showed that GA (>/=3 h) lowered insulin receptor (IR) level by 83% (t(1/2) = 7.4 h; EC(50) = 74 nM), while raising IR precursor level by 100% (t(1/2) = 7.9 h; EC(50) = 300 nM). Pulse-label followed by reducing and nonreducing sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed that monomeric IR precursor (~190 kDa) developed into the homodimeric IR precursor (approximately 380 kDa) and the mature alpha(2)beta(2) IR (~410 kDa) in nontreated cells, but not in GA-treated cells; in GA-treated cells, the homodimerization-incompetent form of monomeric IR precursor was degraded via endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-associated protein degradation. Immunoprecipitation followed by immunoblot analysis showed that IR precursor was associated with calnexin (CNX) to a greater extent in GA-treated cells, compared with nontreated cells. GA had no effect on IR mRNA levels and internalization rate of cell surface IRs. In GA-treated cells, insulin-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) was attenuated by 77%, with no change in IRS-1 level. Thus, inhibition of the Hsp90 family by GA or HA interrupts homodimerization of monomeric IR precursor in the ER and increases retention of monomeric IR precursor with CNX; this event retards cell surface expression of IR and attenuates insulin-induced activation of IRS-1.     

Bilobalide abates inflammation,insulin resistance and secretion of angiogenic factors induced by hypoxia in 3T3-L1 adipocytes by controlling NF-κB and JNK activation

Obesity leads to inflammation and insulin resistance in adipose tissue. Hypoxia, observed in obese adipose tissue is suggested as a major cause of inflammation and insulin resistance in obesity. However, the role of hypoxia in adipose tissue during obesity and insulin resistance was not well established. Here we mainly explored the crosstalk between hypoxia induced inflammation, and insulin resistance and also secretion of angiogenic factors in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and possible reversal with bilobalide. Hypoxia for 24 h significantly (P ≤ 0.05) increased the secretion of MCP-1 (4.59 fold), leptin (2.96 fold) and reduced adiponectin secretion (2.93 fold). In addition, the mRNA level of resistin (6.8 fold) and TLR4 receptors (8.8 fold) was upregulated in hypoxic adipocytes. The release of inflammatory cytokines and expression of TLR4 receptors led to activation of JNK and NF-κB signalling. We further investigated the effects of JNK and NF-κB activation on insulin signalling receptors. The present study showed increased (P ≤ 0.05) serine 307 phosphorylation of IRS-1 (1.9 fold) and decreased expression of IRS-2 (0.53 fold) in hypoxic group showing hypoxia induced impairment in insulin signalling. Hypoxia significantly (P ≤ 0.05) increased basal glucose uptake (3.3 fold) as well as GLUT-1 expression in adipocytes indicating GLUT-1 mediated glucose uptake. Hypoxia for 24 h significantly increased (P ≤ 0.05) the expression of angiogenic factors. Bilobalide protected adipocytes from hypoxia induced inflammation and insulin resistance mainly by reducing inflammatory adipokine secretion, improving adiponectin secretion, reducing NF-κB/JNK activation, and inhibiting serine phosphorylation of IRS-1 receptors of insulin signalling pathway.