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Dan-gua Fang (丹瓜方) improves glycolipid metabolic disorders by promoting hepatic adenosine 5′-monophosphate activated protein kinase expression in diabetic Goto-Kakizaki rats

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Abstract

Objective

To investigate the effect of Dan-gua Fang (丹瓜方) on adenosine 5′-monophosphate (AMP) activated protein kinase (AMPK) α expression in liver and subsequent improvement of glucose and lipid metabolism.

Methods

Forty 13-week-old diabetic Goto-Kakizaki (GK) rats were randomly divided into model, Dan-gua Fang, metformin and simvastatin groups (n=10 for each), and fed high-fat diet ad libitum. Ten Wistar rats were used as normal group and fed normal diet. After 24 weeks, liver expression of AMPKα mRNA was assessed by real-time PCR. AMPKα and phospho-AMPKα protein expression in liver was evaluated by Western blot. Liver histomorphology was carried out after hematoxylin-eosin staining, and blood glucose (BG), glycosylated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), food intake and body weight recorded.

Results

Similar AMPKα mRNA levels were found in the Dan-gua Fang group and normal group, slightly higher than the values obtained for the remaining groups (P<0.05). AMPKα protein expression in the Dan-gua Fang group animals was similar to other diabetic rats, whereas phospho-AMPKα (Thr-172) protein levels were markedly higher than in the metformin group and simvastatin group (P<0.05), respectively. However, phosphor-AMPKα/AMPKα ratios were similar in all groups. Dan-gua Fang reduced fasting blood glucose with similar strength to metformin, and was superior in reducing cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol as well as improving low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in comparison with simvastatin and metformin. Dan-gua Fang decreases plasma alanine aminotransferase (ALT) significantly.

Conclusion

Dan-gua Fang, while treating phlegm-stasis, could decrease BG and lipid in type 2 diabetic GK rats fed with high-fat diet, and effectively protect liver histomorphology and function. This may be partly explained by increased AMPK expression in liver. Therefore, Dan-gua Fang might be an ideal drug for comprehensive intervention for glucose and lipid metabolism disorders in type 2 diabetes mellitus.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Fujian Academy of Integrative Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, 350108, China

    Yuan-long Lan  (蓝元隆)

  2. Zhangzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhangzhou, Fujian Province, 363000, China

    Yuan-long Lan  (蓝元隆)

  3. Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, 350108, China

    Su-ping Huang  (黄苏萍), Xian-pei Heng  (衡先培), Ling Chen  (陈 玲), Peng-hui Li  (李鹏辉), Jing Wu  (吴 静) & Si-xin Chen  (陈斯歆)

  4. The People’s Hospital of Fujian Province, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, 350004, China

    Xian-pei Heng  (衡先培), Liu-qing Yang  (杨柳清), Xu-dong Pan  (潘旭东), Tong Lin  (林 彤), Xin-ling Cheng  (程心玲) & Qing Lin  (林 青)

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  1. Yuan-long Lan  (蓝元隆)
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Xian-pei Heng  (衡先培).

Additional information

Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 81173179), the Natural Science Foundation of Fujian Province (No. 2011J01198), the Fujian Medical Innovation Project (No. 2009-CX-19), the Research Foundation of Fujian Health Department (No. Zlcnfm02), the Fujian Provincial Department of Education Category A Projects (No. JA09131), the Fujian Health Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine Research (No. WZY0920), the CHEN Ke-ji Integrative Medicine Development Fund (No. CKJ2008047, CKJ2009004), and the Integrative Medicine of Fujian Key Laboratory of Age-related Diseases Funded Projects (No. 2008J1004-10)

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Lan, Yl., Huang, Sp., Heng, Xp. et al. Dan-gua Fang (丹瓜方) improves glycolipid metabolic disorders by promoting hepatic adenosine 5′-monophosphate activated protein kinase expression in diabetic Goto-Kakizaki rats. Chin. J. Integr. Med. 21, 188–195 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11655-014-1826-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11655-014-1826-2

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