Quercetin potentiates insulin secretion and protects INS-1 pancreatic β-cells against oxidative damage via the ERK1/2 pathway.

ABSTRACT:

Background and purpose

Quercetin lowers plasma glucose, normalizes glucose tolerance tests and preserves pancreatic β-cell integrity in diabetic rats. However, its mechanism of action has never been explored in insulin-secreting β-cells. Using the INS-1 β-cell line, the effects of quercetin were determined on glucose- or glibenclamide-induced insulin secretion and on β-cell dysfunctions induced by hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)). These effects were analysed along with the activation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 pathway. N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) and resveratrol, two antioxidants also known to exhibit some anti-diabetic properties, were used for comparison.

Experimental approach

Insulin release was quantified by the homogeneous time resolved fluorescence

SUBMITTER: Youl E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2992896 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature