Lipoic acid protects against oxidative stress induced impairment in insulin stimulation of protein kinase B and glucose transport in 3T3-L1 adipocytes

A. Rudich, A. Tirosh, R. Potashnik, M. Khamaisi, N. Bashan*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

124 Scopus citations

Abstract

Aims/hypothesis. Oxidative stress has been shown to impair insulin- stimulated glucose transporter 4 translocation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. This study explores the potential of the antioxidant lipoic acid to protect the cells against the induction of insulin resistance when given before exposure to oxidative stress. Methods. 3T3-LI were exposed for 16 h to lipoic acid after which cells were exposed for 2 h to continuous production of H2O2 by adding glucose oxidase to the culture medium. Results. These conditions resulted in a 50-70% reduction in insulin-stimulated glucose transport activity associated with a decrease in reduced glutathione content from 37.4 ± 3.1 to 26.4 ± 4.9 nmol/mg protein, (p < 0.005). Lipoic acid pretreatment increased insulin-stimulated glucose transport following oxidative stress, reaching 84.8 ±4.4 % of the control, associated with an increase in reduced glutathione content. Oxidation impaired the 4.89 ± 0.36-fold insulin- stimulated increase in glucose transporter 4 content in plasma membrane lawns of control cells. Lipoic acid pretreatment was, however, associated with preserved insulin-induced glucose transporter 4 translocation in cells exposed to oxidation, yielding 80 % of its content in controls. Although tyrosine phosphorylation patterns were not affected by lipoic acid pretreatment, insulin-stimulated protein kinase B/Akt serine 473 phosphorylation and activity were considerably impaired by oxidation but protected by lipoic acid pretreatment. A protective effect was not observed with either troglitazone, its isolated vitamin E moiety, or with vitamin C. Conclusion/interpretation. This study shows the ability of lipoic acid to provide partial protection against the impaired insulin-stimulated glucose transporter 4 translocation and protein kinase B/Akt activation induced by oxidative stress, potentially by its capacity to maintain intracellular redox state.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)949-957
Number of pages9
JournalDiabetologia
Volume42
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - 1999
Externally publishedYes

Funding

FundersFunder number
Israeli Academy of Sciences
Ministry of Health, State of Israel

    Keywords

    • GLUT4 translocation
    • Insulin resistance
    • Troglitazone
    • Vitamin C
    • Vitamin E

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