Curcumin Derivative MTH-3 Regulates Palmitate-induced Insulin Resistance in Mouse Myoblast C2C12 Cells

Yu-Jen Chiu; Yu-Hsiang Lo; Jai-Sing Yang; Sheng-Chu Kuo; Shih-Chang Tsai

doi:10.21873/invivo.12613

Curcumin Derivative MTH-3 Regulates Palmitate-induced Insulin Resistance in Mouse Myoblast C₂C₁₂ Cells

In Vivo. 2021 Nov-Dec;35(6):3181-3191. doi: 10.21873/invivo.12613.

Authors

Yu-Jen Chiu^{1

2

3}, Yu-Hsiang Lo^{4

5}, Jai-Sing Yang⁵, Sheng-Chu Kuo⁶, Shih-Chang Tsai⁷

Affiliations

¹ Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C.
² Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C.
³ Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C.
⁴ Department of Biological Science and Technology, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan, R.O.C.
⁵ Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan, R.O.C.
⁶ Chinese Medicinal Research and Development Center, China Medical University Hospital, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan, R.O.C.
⁷ Department of Biological Science and Technology, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan, R.O.C.; sctsai@mail.cmu.edu.tw.

Abstract

Background/aim: At present, there are no effective drugs for the treatment of insulin resistance. MTH-3, a curcumin derivative, exerts potent anti-cancer effects. The aim of the present study was to explore whether MTH-3 is capable of regulating palmitic acid (PA)-induced insulin resistance in C₂C₁₂ cells.

Materials and methods: Cell viability was examined using the MTT assay. C₂C₁₂ cells were treated with PA and evaluated for the production of oil droplets using an Oil Red O assay. Glucose uptake was analysed by the 2-NBDG assay.

Results: Treatment of cells with up to 500 μM PA for 24 h or with 5 or 10 μM MTH-3 had no effect on cell viability. PA induced production of oil droplets in C₂C₁₂ cells. After adding MTH-3, the quantity of oil droplets decreased significantly and glucose uptake recovered.

Conclusion: MTH-3 may become an efficient drug for the treatment of insulin resistance and associated diseases.

Keywords: Curcumin derivative; MTH-3; insulin resistance; mouse myoblast cells; palmitic acid.

MeSH terms

Animals
Cell Line
Curcumin* / pharmacology
Insulin
Insulin Resistance*
Mice
Myoblasts
Palmitates

Substances

Insulin
Palmitates
Curcumin