The expressions of AMP-activated protein kinase and LKB1 in adipose tissues in obese rats and their impact on glucose and lipid metabolism

Objective:To investigate the expressions of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and LKB1 in adipose tissues of normal-fed rats and high-fat-fed rats,and explore the impact of AMPK and LKB1 on the metabolism of glucose and lipid. Methods:Thirty male six-week age Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into two groups:15 were fed with normal control diet as NC group, the rest 15 were fed with a high-fat diet as HF group. After 16 weeks,the average body weight(BW) in HF group were over 20% higher than in NC group. All rats were weighed under anesthesia. The levels of free fatty acid (FFA),triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TCH),fasting plasma glucose(FPG) and fasting insulin(FINS) in serum were measured. After all rats were killed,the protein levels of AMPKα,P-AMPKα and P-LKB1 in adipose tissues were analyzed with Western blot. Results:Compared with NC group,the levels of BW,FFA,TG,FPG and FINS in HF group were significantly higher(P<0.05). In adipose tissues,the expressions of P-AMPKα and PLKB1 in HF group were lower than those in NC group(P<0.05). Conclusions:High-fat nutrition diet induces the activities of LKB1 and AMPK,promoteds the synthesis of TG,increases blood glucose,induces obesity and insulin resistance in rats.