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Bitter Melon Improves Glycemic Control and Inflammation in Adipose Tissue of Obese and Diabetic Rats
Author(s) -
Chang Eugene,
Choi Jung Mook,
Kim Lisa,
Park CheolYoung
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.29.1_supplement.607.5
Subject(s) - momordica , glycemic , medicine , adipose tissue , endocrinology , diabetes mellitus , melon , obesity , inflammation , insulin , traditional medicine , anatomy
Momordica charantia, known as bitter melon has been used for the prevention and treatment of obesity and diabetes, but the mechanisms have not been fully determined. In the present study, we investigated the effects of bitter melon on glycemic control using a rat model representing late onset of hyperglycemia, a chronic course of disease, mild obesity and clinical onset of diabetes mellitus. Male OLETF rats were fed 45% high fat (HF) diet supplemented with either 1% bitter melon or 3% BM for 6 weeks. Without significant changes of body weight and food intake, bitter melon supplementation significantly improved glycemic control during oral glucose tolerance test. Moreover, 3% bitter melon supplementation in high fat diet significantly decreased serum concentrations of insulin and triglycerides, compared to high fat diet. mRNA expression of genes involved in inflammation such as TNFα and 11β‐Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase1 were significantly reduced in 3% bitter melon group. In addition, bitter melon‐contained diet significantly decreased GRP78, IRE1, XBP1, and ATF4 mRNA levels related to ER stress in adipose tissue. In conclusion, bitter melon may be useful in the prevention/treatment of hyperglycemia by decreasing adipose tissue inflammation.