Berberis integerrima ameliorates insulin resistance in high- fructose-fed insulin-resistant rats

Objective(s): This study was aimed to investigate the effect of Berberis integerrima (B. integerrima) extract on insulin sensitivity in high-fructose-fed insulin-resistant rats. Materials and Methods: Experimental rats were randomly divided into two groups: the control group was fed a regular chow diet while other group fed with a high-fructose diet for 8 weeks. After the first six weeks, the animals were treated with B. integerrima extract or pioglitazone for two weeks. Insulin and adiponectin levels were measured by ELISA. Additionally, Insulin resistance was calculated using a Homeostasis Model Assessment of Insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). The plasma free fatty acid (FFA) profile was obtained by gas chromatography. PPARγ and GLUT4 gene expression were assessed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and western-blotting. Results: Comparing the B. integerrima treated group with the control group, weight gain (P=0.009) and levels of insulin (P=0.001), blood glucose (P