Effects Of Berberine On 11β-hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 1 MRNA Expression In Insulin-resistant HepG2 Cells

ObjectivesTo investigate the effects of berberine on glucose absorption and 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 mRNA expression in the insulin-resistant HepG2 cell model, evaluate the mechanism of berberine on glucose metabolism.MethodsHepG2 cells were incubated with high concentration insulin for 24 hours to build insulin-resistant cell model. The insulin-resistant cells were treated with different concentrations of berberine and insulin for 24 hours. The glucose absorption by the cells was measured by the method of glucose oxidase-peroxidase (GOD-POD). The mRNA expression of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β-HSD1) in the insulin-resistant cells was detected by the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).ResultsHepG2 cells incubated with 10- 7 mol/L insulin for 24 h significantly decreased the glucose absorption, and the insulin-resistant cell model had been built. The glucose absorption of the cell model was significantly improved by high concentration berberine(10umol/L) treatment. High concentration berberine showed strong synergy with insulin in glucose absorption by the model cells. While the cells became resistant to insulin, the mRNA expression of 11β-HSD1 increased significantly contrast to non insulin -resistant cells. High concentration berberine could reduce the mRNA expression of 11β-HSD1 in the insulin-resistant cells.ConclusionsHigh concentration berberine could improve the insulin sensitivity, reduce the mRNA expression of 11β-HSD1 in the insulin-resistant liver cell model. It suggested that the effects of berberine on the cell model may be through reducing the mRNA expression of 11β-HSD1.