High fat diet induced insulin resistance and elevated retinol binding protein 4 in female rats; treatment and protection with Berberis vulgaris extract and vitamin A

Pak J Pharm Sci. 2013 Nov;26(6):1189-95.

Abstract

This research was conducted to investigate two main aims; the first aim was to find if there is a relationship between insulin resistance (IR) and retinol binding protein 4 (RBP4). The second aim was to use berberis vulgaris extract and vitamin A as protective and/or curative agents against insulin resistance. IR was developed by feeding the female rats a high fat diet (HFD) for six weeks then treating or protecting them with b. vulgaris extract (0.2 g/Kg body weight) or vitamin A (12.8μg/Kg/day) for two weeks. HFD intake elevated insulin level and RBP4 expression that associated with hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia. Co-administration of vitamin A and B. vulgaris extracts reduced blood glucose level, insulin, body weight and RBP4 expression before, during and after HFD. Furthermore, vitamin A reduced the blood glucose, triglycerides (TG) and cholesterol levels. IR syndrome associated with the RBP 4 alteration that gives high indication about the role of RBP4 expression in the IR progression and development. Furthermore, the treatment with vitamin A and/or b. vulgaris alleviated the IR syndrome through the action on RBP4 and Insulin secretion. On the other hand, vitamin A must be avoided for the predisposed IR and prediabetic patients.

MeSH terms

  • Animal Feed
  • Animals
  • Berberis*
  • Diet, High-Fat*
  • Female
  • Insulin / blood
  • Insulin Resistance*
  • Lipids / blood
  • Phytotherapy
  • Plant Extracts / therapeutic use*
  • Rats
  • Retinol-Binding Proteins, Plasma / physiology*
  • Vitamin A / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Insulin
  • Lipids
  • Plant Extracts
  • Rbp4 protein, rat
  • Retinol-Binding Proteins, Plasma
  • Vitamin A