Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences (Jul 2013)

(S)-[6]-Gingerol enhances glucose uptake in L6 myotubes by activation of AMPK in response to [Ca<sup>2+</sup>]<sub><i>i</i></sub>

  • Yiming Li,
  • Van H Tran,
  • Nooshin Koolaji,
  • Colin Duke,
  • Basil D Roufogalis

DOI
https://doi.org/10.18433/J34G7P
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 16, no. 2

Abstract

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PURPOSE. The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanism of (S)-[6]-gingerol in promoting glucose uptake in L6 skeletal muscle cells. METHODS. The effect of (S)-[6]-gingerol on glucose uptake in L6 myotubes was examined using 2-[1,2-3H]-deoxy-D-glucose. Intracellular Ca2+ concentration was measured using Fluo-4. Phosphorylation of AMPKα was determined by Western blotting analysis. RESULTS. (S)-[6]-Gingerol time-dependently enhanced glucose uptake in L6 myotubes. (S)-[6]-Gingerol elevated intracellular Ca2+ concentration and subsequently induced a dose- and time-dependent enhancement of threonine172 phosphorylated AMPKα in L6 myotubes via modulation by Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase kinase. CONCLUSION. The results indicated that (S)-[6]-gingerol increased glucose uptake in L6 skeletal muscle cells by activating AMPK. (S)-[6]-gingerol, a major component of Zingiber officinale, may have potential for development as an antidiabetic agent. This article is open to POST-PUBLICATION REVIEW. Registered readers (see “For Readers”) may comment by clicking on ABSTRACT on the issue’s contents page.