Rutin potentiates insulin receptor kinase to enhance insulin-dependent glucose transporter 4 translocation

Scope: We investigated whether rutin, a flavonoid isolated from Toona sinensis Roem, has the ability to enhance insulin-dependent receptor kinase (IRK) activity and glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) translocation in differentiated myotubes. We also tested the effects of rutin treatment in insulin-resistant mice using an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Methods and results: Rutin potentiated insulin receptor kinase (IRK) phosphorylation when IRK autophosphorylation was triggered by insulin in differentiated myotubes. Co-treatment of cells with rutin and insulin attenuated S961-mediated inhibition of insulin-dependent GLUT4 translocation. In S961-treated C57BL/6 mice, an in vivo model of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes, rutin treatment showed a normoglycemic effect in the OGTT. Conclusion: This study shows evidence that rutin may serve as a potential agent for glycemic control through enhancement of IRK activity, thereby inducing the insulin signaling pathway causing increased GLUT4 translocation and increased glucose uptake.