Objective: To investigate the effects of Huanglian Jiedu Decoction (黄连解毒汤, HLJDD) on glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) protein expressions in insulin-resistant murine target tissues. Methods: The experimental male Wistar rats were established into insulin resistant models by injecting streptozotocin (STZ 30 mg/kg) via caudal vein and feeding them with high fat high caloric diet, and randomly divided into the model group, the aspirin group and the HLJDD group. Besides, a normal group was set up for control. Changes of body weight (BW), levels of serum fasting blood glucose (FBG), serum fasting insulin (FINS) and oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) were routinely determined. The expression of GLUT4 protein in adipose and skeletal muscle tissues before and after insulin stimulation was determined with Western blot. Results: In the HLJDD group after treatment, BW and FBG got decreased, OGTT improved, and the expression and translocation of GLUT4 protein elevated obviously, either before or after insulin stimulation, as compared with those in the model group, showing significant differences respectively. Conclusion: The mechanism of improving insulin resistance by HLJDD is probably associated with its effect in elevating GLUT4 protein expression and translocation in adipose and skeletal muscle tissues of insulin resistant rats.
