title: Effect of Sutherlandia frutescens on the lipid metabolism in an insulin resistant rat model and 3T3-L1 adipocytes.
abstract: High fat diet induced insulin resistance correlates with dyslipidaemia and ectopic fat deposits in skeletal muscle and liver. The effects of Sutherlandia frutescens, an antidiabetic medicinal plant, on lipid metabolism were evaluated in an insulin resistant (IR) rat model and in 3 T3-preadipocytes. Wistar rats received normal diet (ND) or high fat diet (HFD). After the onset of IR in the HFD group, the rats were subdivided into two subgroups, which either continued with HFD or were treated with 50 mg S. frutescens/kg BW/day and HFD (HFD + SF). After 4 weeks, the HFD + SF rats had a significantly lower body weight than the HFD rats (p < 0.05). Blood plasma analysis showed a decrease in insulin, free fatty acids and triglycerides. Related changes in lipid parameters were observed in the liver, skeletal muscle and adipose tissue. To investigate the effects of S. frutescens on adipose tissue, 3 T3-L1 cells were used as a model. Treatment with S. frutescens led to a decrease in triglyceride accumulation, whilst glucose consumption and lactate production were increased (p < 0.05). These results indicate that S. frutescens directly affects mitochondrial activity and lipid biosynthesis in adipose tissue and provide a mechanism by which S. frutescens can restore insulin sensitivity by modulating fatty acid biosynthesis.
authors.affiliation: Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Biochemistry and Microbiology, PO Box 77000, Port Elizabeth 6031, South Africa. janine.mackenzie@nmmu.ac.za.
authors.forename: Janine
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: MacKenzie
authors.forename: Trevor C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Koekemoer
authors.forename: Saartjie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Roux
authors.forename: Maryna
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: van de Venter
authors.forename: Gill B
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Dealtry
mesh_terms: D041721:3T3-L1 Cells; D017667:Adipocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D059305:Diet, High-Fat; D007887:Fabaceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D050356:Lipid Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects*; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000737:chemistry*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D007328:Insulin; D010936:Plant Extracts