Uncoupling protein-2 mediates the protective action of berberine against oxidative stress in rat insulinoma INS-1E cells and in diabetic mouse islets.

ABSTRACT:

Background and purpose

Uncoupling protein-2 (UCP2) may regulate glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. The current study investigated the effects of berberine, an alkaloid found in many medicinal plants, on oxidative stress and insulin secretion through restoration of UCP2 expression in high glucose (HG)-treated INS-1E cells and rat islets or in db/db mouse islets.

Experimental approach

Mouse and rat pancreatic islets were isolated. Nitrotyrosine, superoxide dismutase (SOD)-1 and UCP2 expression and AMPK phosphorylation were examined by Western blotting. Insulin secretion was measured by ELISA. Mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) production was detected by confocal microscopy.

Key results

Incubation of INS-1E cells and rat islets with HG (30 mmol·L(-1); 8 h) el

SUBMITTER: Liu L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4080978 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature