title: Sargassum coreanum extract alleviates hyperglycemia and improves insulin resistance in db/db diabetic mice.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The goal of this study was to examine the effect of Sargassum coreanum extract (SCE) on blood glucose concentration and insulin resistance in C57BL-KsJ-db/db mice.
  
  
  METHODS
  For 6 weeks, male C57BL/KsJ-db/db mice were administrated SCE (0.5%, w/w), and rosiglitazone (0.005%, w/w).
  
  
  RESULTS
  A supplement of the SCE for 6 weeks induced a significant reduction in blood glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin concentrations, and it improved hyperinsulinemia compared to the diabetic control db/db mice. The glucokinase activity in the hepatic glucose metabolism increased in the SCE-supplemented db/db mice, while phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase and glucose-6-phosphatase activities in the SCE-supplemented db/db mice were significantly lower than those in the diabetic control db/db mice. The homeostatic index of insulin resistance was lower in the SCE-supplemented db/db mice than in the diabetic control db/db mice.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results suggest that a supplement of the SCE lowers the blood glucose concentration by altering the hepatic glucose metabolic enzyme activities and improves insulin resistance.
authors.affiliation: Department of Food and Nutrition, College of Medical and Life Science, Silla University, Busan 617-736, Korea.
authors.forename: Mi Hwa
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Pusan National University, Busan 609-735, Korea.
authors.forename: Young Hwa
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Nam
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Science and Nutrition & Research Institute of Ecology for the Elderly, Pusan National University, 63 Beon-gil 2, Busandaehag-ro, Geumjeong-gu, Busan 609-735, Korea.
authors.forename: Ji-Sook
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Han
keywords: Anti-diabetic effects; C57BL/KsJ-db/db mice; Sargassum coreanum extract; hyperglycemia; insulin resistance