Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 18, 2026

Glucose Uptake Measurement and Response to Insulin Stimulation in In Vitro Cultured Human Primary Myotubes
Published on: June 25, 2017
Mechanism of insulin-like effect of chromium(III) ions on glucose uptake in C2C12 mouse myotubes involves ROS
1Department of Physiological Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw Agricultural University, Poland.
Abstract:
Chromium is considered a trace element which improves glucose tolerance, but mechanism accounting for this insulin-like action is not recognized. The main purpose of this study was to examine the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in chromium and insulin stimulated glucose transport using antioxidants. Effect of chromium ions on phosphatases, enzymes involved in inhibition of insulin signaling was also investigated. Experiments were performed in vitro on C2C12 mouse myotubes. ROS level was measured with the use of confocal microscope and 2',7' dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA). Glucose metabolism was assayed by the measurement of 2-[3H]-deoxyglucose uptake. Cr3+ ions and insulin treatment caused significant increase of ROS formation and also stimulated glucose uptake in C2C12 cells in concentration dependent manner. Antioxidants (L-ascorbic acid and N-acetyl cysteine 100μM) and DPI (diphenyleneiodonium-NADPH oxidase inhibitor, 10μM) abolished insulin- and Cr-inducted glucose transport. Our results confirm the hypothesis that the ROS are integral part of insulin signaling pathway and that the insulin mimetic effect of Cr3+ ions depends on the antioxidant status of the cells. Surprisingly, chromium treatment resulted in increased activity of membrane phosphatases.
More Related Videos
08:32Studying the Hypothalamic Insulin Signal to Peripheral Glucose Intolerance with a Continuous Drug Infusion System into the Mouse Brain
Published on: January 4, 2018
08:22Combined Intravital Microscopy and Contrast-enhanced Ultrasonography of the Mouse Hindlimb to Study Insulin-induced Vasodilation and Muscle Perfusion
Published on: March 20, 2017
Related Concept Videos
Insulin: The Receptor and Signaling Pathways
Insulin Secretory Vesicles
Hormones Regulating Blood Glucose
In addition to accelerating glucose uptake and utilization, insulin has...
Glucose Homeostasis: Pancreatic Islets and Insulin Secretion
Insulin and C-peptide are...
Glucose Absorption Into the Small Intestine