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Azuki bean (Vigna angularis) extract stimulates the phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase in HepG2 cells
Shin Sato1, Yuuka Mukai2, Saori Kataoka1
1Department of Nutrition, Aomori University of Health and Welfare, Aomori, 030-8505, Japan.
Background:
The activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) has a beneficial effect on hyperglycaemia. The aim of this study was to examine whether an azuki bean (Vigna angularis) extract (ABE) stimulates the AMPK or insulin signalling pathways in a liver cell line in response to hyperglycaemia, as well as in a diabetic rat liver.
Results:
HepG2 cells were incubated with 5 or 20 mmol L(-1) glucose and then treated with ABE. Streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats received 0, 10, or 40 mg kg(-1) ABE orally. Blood chemistry and phosphorylation of AMPK and Akt (a serine/threonine kinase) in the livers were examined. There was a significant increase in the levels of AMPK and Akt phosphorylation in ABE-treated HepG2 cells. AMPK phosphorylation increased significantly in glucose-stimulated HepG2 cells that were treated with ABE. In the 40 mg kg(-1) ABE-treated diabetic rats, the glucose levels were lower than in the control. Phosphorylation of AMPK in ABE-untreated diabetic rat livers decreased significantly. Conversely, ABE treatment increased the phosphorylation of AMPK and Akt in the diabetic rat liver.
Conclusion:
ABE treatment upregulated AMPK phosphorylation in HepG2 cells, and upregulated AMPK and Akt phosphorylation in the diabetic rat liver. These data suggest that ABE can potentially improve glucose intolerance.
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