Abstract
AimsInsulin resistance is associated with a chronic inflammation in adipose tissue which is propagated by a phenotypic switch in adipose tissue macrophage (ATM) polarization. This study aimed to investigate whether berberine, the major alkaloid of rhizoma coptidis, can improve insulin resistance through inhibiting ATM activation and inflammatory response in adipose tissue. Main methodsHigh-fat-diet induced obese mice were administered oral with berberine (50mg/kg/day) for 14days. ATMs were analysed using FACS and insulin resistance was evaluated. Expressions of pro-inflammatory cytokines and activation of inflammatory pathways were detected. The chemotaxis of macrophages was measured. Glucose consumption and insulin signalling of adipocytes were examined. Key findingsBerberine significantly decreased F4/80+/CD11c+/CD206− cells in the stromal vascular fraction from adipose tissue and improved glucose tolerance in obsess mice. In addition, berberine reduced the elevated levels of serum TNF-α, IL-6 and MCP-1 and the expressions of TNF-α, IL-6 and MCP-1 and attenuated the phosphorylation of JNK and IKKβ and the expression of NF-κB p65 in the obese adipose tissue, Raw264.7 macrophages and 3T3-L1 adipocytes, respectively. The phosphorylation of IRS-1 (Ser307) was inhibited by berberine in adipose tissue and cultured adipocytes. The phosphorylation of AKT (Ser473) was increased in berberine-treated adipose tissue. Conditioned medium from adipocytes treated with berberine reduced the number of infiltrated macrophages. Berberine partly restored the impaired glucose consumption and the activation of IRS-1 (Ser307) in adipocytes induced by the activation of macrophages. SignificanceOur findings imply that berberine improves insulin resistance by inhibiting M1 macrophage activation in adipose tissue.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.