Fig. 2

DHE influences insulin resistance and glucose metabolism in PA-treated HepG2 cells. HepG2 cells were treated with 0.25 mM PA or with 0.25 mM PA and 10 μΜ DHE for 24 h, and then the cells were harvested and protein was isolated. a The insulin resistance factors, including p-AKT (S473) and p-IRS1 (S307), were evaluated using western blotting. b Relative protein levels of insulin resistance factors were assessed using the Image J program. Each value was normalized to AKT or IRS1. c The gluconeogenesis markers, such as G6Pase, PEPCK, and PGC1α, were examined using western blotting. d Relative protein levels of gluconeogenesis markers were assessed using the Image J program. Values were normalized to actin. e. Glucose uptake in the treated cells was assessed using a glucose uptake cell-based assay kit. All data were indicated as mean ± SD of at least three independent experiments. ***p < 0.001, **p < 0.01, *p < 0.05. n = 3–4. CTL; control