Objective:To investigate the effect of Dan-gua Fang(丹瓜方) on adenosine 5'-monophosphate(AMP) activated protein kinase(AMPK) α expression in liver and subsequent improvement of glucose and lipid metabolism.Methods:Forty 13-week-old diabetic Goto-Kakizaki(GK) rats were randomly divided into model,Dan-gua Fang,metformin and simvastatin groups(n=10 for each),and fed high-fat diet ad libitum.Ten Wistar rats were used as normal group and fed normal diet.After 24 weeks,liver expression of AMPK α mRNA was assessed by real-time PCR.AMPK α and phospho-AMPK α protein expression in liver was evaluated by Western blot.Liver histomorphology was carried out after hematoxylin-eosin staining,and blood glucose(BG),glycosylated hemoglobin A1c(HbA1c),food intake and body weight recorded.Results:Similar AMPK α mRNA levels were found in the Dan-gua Fang group and normal group,slightly higher than the values obtained for the remaining groups(P<0.05).AMPK α protein expression in the Dan-gua Fang group animals was similar to other diabetic rats,whereas phospho-AMPK α(Thr-172) protein levels were markedly higher than in the metformin group and simvastatin group(P<0.05),respectively.However,phosphor-AMPKa/AMPK α ratios were similar in all groups.Dan-gua Fang reduced fasting blood glucose with similar strength to metformin,and was superior in reducing cholesterol,triglycerides,high-density lipoprotein cholesterol as well as improving low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in comparison with simvastatin and metformin.Dan-gua Fang decreases plasma alanine aminotransferase(ALT) significantly.Conclusion:Dan-gua Fang,while treating phlegm-stasis,could decrease BG and lipid in type 2 diabetic GK rats fed with high-fat diet,and effectively protect liver histomorphology and function.This may be partly explained by increased AMPK expression in liver.Therefore,Dan-gua Fang might be an ideal drug for comprehensive Intervention for glucose and lipid metabolism disorders in type 2 diabetes mellitus.
