Curcumin stimulates glucose uptake through AMPK-p38 MAPK pathways in L6 myotube cells.
Curcumin has been shown to exert a variety of beneficial human health effects. However, mechanisms by which curcumin acts are poorly understood. In this study, we report that curcumin activated AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and increased glucose uptake in rat L6 myotubes. In addition, curcumin activated the mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK)3/6-p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways in the downstream of the AMPK cascade. Moreover, inhibition of either AMPK or p38 MAPK resulted in blockage of curcumin-induced glucose uptake. Furthermore, the administration of curcumin to mice increased AMPK phosphorylation in the skeletal muscles. Taken together, these results indicate that the beneficial health effect of curcumin can be explained by its ability to activate AMPK-p38 MAPK pathways in skeletal muscles.
Kim
Ji Hae
JH
Department of Anatomy, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
Park
Ji Man
JM
Kim
Eung-Kyun
EK
Lee
Jung Ok
JO
Lee
Soo Kyung
SK
Jung
Jin Hee
JH
You
Ga Young
GY
Park
Sun Hwa
SH
Suh
Pann-Ghill
PG
Kim
Hyeon Soo
HS
D055372:AMP-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D003474:Curcumin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D007274:Injections, Intraperitoneal; D020935:MAP Kinase Signaling System / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018485:Muscle Fibers, Skeletal / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology; D010766:Phosphorylation / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism*
D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; D055372:AMP-Activated Protein Kinases; D003474:Curcumin; D005947:Glucose