Rutin protects against aging-related metabolic dysfunction

Aging is a complex process which is accompanied by multiple related chronic diseases. Among them, metabolic dysfunction is one of the most important aging-related disorders. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the effect of rutin on aging-related metabolic dysfunction. We found that the increase of fasting blood glucose, insulin levels, blood pressure and HOMA-IR in aged rats was significantly inhibited by rutin. In addition, rutin improved glucose and insulin tolerance in aged rats, as reflected by decreased glucose level in IPGTT and IPITT test. Rutin treatment notably increased Akt and IRS-1 phosphorylation in the livers of old rats. The increase of inflammatory markers, such as IL-1β and TNFα, was prevented by the rutin administration. Moreover, in circulation and livers of old rats, rutin treatment significantly decreased the content of TG. Rutin also inhibited the increase of serum AST and ALT levels. Furthermore, rutin treatment markedly inhibited aging-related mitochondrial dysfunction, ER stress, and oxidative stress, as evidenced by increased oxygen consumption rate and activities of Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase and Ca2(+)-ATPase, decreased expression of ATF3 and GRP78, decreased level of MDA, increased content of GSH and enhanced activity of SOD in aged rats. We show that the administration of rutin could effectively improve aging-related metabolic dysfunction. The amelioration of inflammation, lipid accumulation, mitochondrial dysfunction, ER stress, and oxidative stress may be involved in the effect of rutin on aging-related metabolic dysfunction. These findings provide novel insights into the potential use of rutin in the intervention of aging and its related metabolic diseases.