Increased intracellular iron in mouse primary hepatocytes in vitro causes activation of the Akt pathway but decreases its response to insulin.

ABSTRACT:

Background

An iron-overloaded state has been reported to be associated with insulin resistance. On the other hand, conditions such as classical hemochromatosis (where iron overload occurs primarily in the liver) have been reported to be associated with increased insulin sensitivity. The reasons for these contradictory findings are unclear. In this context, the effects of increased intracellular iron per se on insulin signaling in hepatocytes are not known.

Methods

Mouse primary hepatocytes were loaded with iron in vitro by incubation with ferric ammonium citrate (FAC). Intracellular events related to insulin signaling, as well as changes in gene expression and hepatocyte glucose production (HGP), were studied in the presence and absence of insulin and/or forskolin (a glucago

SUBMITTER: Varghese J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6029669 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature