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The Involvement of Serotonin in the Hypoglycemic Effects Produced by Administration of the Aqueous Extract of Xylaria nigripes with Steroid‐Induced Insulin‐Resistant Rats
Author(s) -
Chen YingI,
Tzeng ChungYuh,
Cheng YuWen,
Hsu TaiHao,
Ho Wai Jane,
Liang ZengChin,
Hsieh ChangWei,
Tzen Jason T. C.,
Chang ShihLiang
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
phytotherapy research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.019
H-Index - 129
eISSN - 1099-1573
pISSN - 0951-418X
DOI - 10.1002/ptr.5314
Subject(s) - endocrinology , medicine , insulin , serotonin , antagonist , chemistry , insulin resistance , receptor , pharmacology
Xylaria nigripes (XN) is a medicinal fungus with a high‐economic value. The aim of this study was to explore the hypoglycemic effects and mechanisms of the XN aqueous extract in steroid‐induced insulin‐resistant (SIIR) rats. Significant hypoglycemic effects were observed 60 min after administration of XN aqueous extract. In normal Wistar, hypoglycemic effects were 21% (the plasma glucose level decreased from 128.6 ± 12.5 to 100.9 ± 10.7 mg/dL). In SIIR, hypoglycemic effects were 26% (the plasma glucose level decreased from 177.6 ± 12.5 to 133.3 ± 29.7 mg/dL) rats refer to their baseline. The signaling proteins for insulin‐receptor substrate‐1 and glucose transporter‐4 increased 0.51‐fold and 1.12‐fold, respectively, as determined by Western blotting; the increase in the proteins was 13% and 9%, respectively, as determined by immunohistochemistry. The serotonin antagonist, α‐p‐chlorophenylalanine, effectively blocked the hypoglycemic effects and increased the signaling protein levels. After XN administration, none of the animals showed significant changes in plasma‐free fatty acids in 60 min. In summary, the XN extract may have hypoglycemic effects in normal Wistar and SIIR rats that may have a serotonin‐related hypoglycemic effect and enhance insulin sensitivity in the SIIR rats. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.