The Korean Traditional Anti-obesity drug Gyeongshingangjeehwan Stimulates $AMPK{\alpha}$ Activation in Skeletal Muscle of OLETF Rats

  • Shin, Soon-Shik (Department of Formula Sciences, College of Oriental Medicine, Dongeui University) ;
  • Yoon, Mi-Chung (Department of Life Sciences, Mokwon University)
  • Received : 2011.08.31
  • Accepted : 2011.11.20
  • Published : 2011.12.31

Abstract

Our previous study demonstrated that the Korean traditional medicine Gyeongshingangjeehwan (GGEx) inhibits obesity and insulin resistance in obese type 2 diabetic Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) rats. We investigated whether GGEx may affect AMP-activated protein kinase ${\alpha}$ ($AMPK{\alpha}$) since $AMPK{\alpha}$ activation is known to stimulate fatty acid oxidation in skeletal muscle of obese rodents. After OLETF rats were treated with GGEx, we studied the effects of GGEx on $AMPK{\alpha}$ and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) phosphorylation, and the expression of $AMPK{\alpha}$, $PPAR{\alpha}$, and $PPAR{\alpha}$ target genes. The effects of GGEx on mRNA expression of the above genes were also measured in C2C12 skeletal muscle cells. Administration of GGEx to OLETF rats for 8 weeks increased phosphorylation of $AMPK{\alpha}$ and ACC in skeletal muscle. GGEx also elevated skeletal muscle mRNA levels of $AMPK{\alpha}1$ and $AMPK{\alpha}2$ as well as $PPAR{\alpha}$ and its target genes. Consistent with the in vivo data, similar activation of genes was observed in GGEx-treated C2C12 cells. These results suggest that GGEx stimulates skeletal muscle $AMPK{\alpha}$ and $PPAR{\alpha}$ activation, leading to alleviation of obesity and related disorders.

Keywords

References

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