title: Metformin modulates insulin receptor signaling in normal and cholesterol-treated human hepatoma cells (HepG2).
abstract: The effects of the biguanide anti-hyperglycemic agent, metformin (N,N'-dimethyl-biguanide), on insulin signaling was studied in a human hepatoma cell line (HepG2). Cells were cultured in the absence (control cells) or in the presence of 100 microM of a cholesterol derivative, hemisuccinate of cholesterol. Cholesterol hemisuccinate-treatment alters cholesterol and lipid content of HepG2 and modulates membrane fluidity. Cholesterol hemisuccinate-treatment induces a decrease in insulin responsiveness and creates an 'insulin-resistant' state in these cells. Exposure to 100 microM of metformin resulted in a significant enhancement of insulin-stimulated lipogenesis in control and cholesterol hemisuccinate-treated cells. In control cells, metformin altered glycogenesis in a biphasic manner. In cholesterol hemisuccinate-treated cells, metformin inhibited basal glycogenesis but restored insulin-stimulated glycogenesis. Hence, to understand the mechanism of metformin action, we analyzed early steps in the insulin signaling pathway, including insulin receptor autophosphorylation, mitogen-activated-protein kinase and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase activities, in both control and cholesterol hemisuccinate-treated cells. Overall, the results suggest that metformin may interact with the insulin receptor and/or a component involved in the early steps of insulin signal transduction.
authors.affiliation: Children's Memorial Hospital-CMIER, Pediatric Brain Tumor Research Program, Chicago, IL 60614, USA. e-meuillet@nwu.edu
authors.forename: E J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Meuillet
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Wiernsperger
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mania-Farnell
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hubert
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cremel
mesh_terms: D002784:Cholesterol / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004351:Drug Resistance; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007328:Insulin / Q000494:pharmacology; D008055:Lipids / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008687:Metformin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010766:Phosphorylation; D011972:Receptor, Insulin / Q000187:drug effects*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects*; D013997:Time Factors; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
chemical_list: D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D007328:Insulin; D008055:Lipids; D008687:Metformin; D002784:Cholesterol; D011972:Receptor, Insulin