In vitro and in vivo effect of aspalathus linearis and its major polyphenols on carbohydrate and lipid metabolism in insulin resistant models
Institution: | University of Zululand |
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Department: | |
Year: | 2014 |
Keywords: | Insulin resistant |
Record ID: | 1448688 |
Full text PDF: | http://hdl.handle.net/10530/1319 |
High levels of saturated fatty acids (SFAs), such as palmitate, are associated with insulin resistance of muscle, fat and liver. Skeletal muscle, which accounts for up to 80% of peripheral glucose disposal, is particularly vulnerable to increased levels of SFAs. Rooibos (Aspalathus linearis) and its unique dihydrochalcone C-glucoside, aspalathin, shown to reduce hyperglycemia in diabetic rats, could play a role in preventing or ameliorating the development of insulin resistance. This study aims to establish whether rooibos and its major phenolic compounds (aspalathin, orientin, isoorientin and rutin) can ameliorate palmitate-induced insulin-resistance in C2C12 skeletal muscle cells, 3T3-L1 adipocytes and in C3A liver cells. The efficacy of rooibos will also be assessed in an obese insulin-resistant (OB/IR) rat model.