Cinnamon extract regulates glucose transporter and insulin-signaling gene expression in mouse adipocytes

Cinnamon extracts (CE) are reported to have beneficial effects on people with normal and impaired glucose tolerance the metabolic syndrome type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance However clinical results are controversial Molecular characterization of CE effects is limited This study investigated the effects of CE on gene expression in cultured mouse adipocytes Water-soluble CE was prepared from ground cinnamon (Cinnamomum burmannii) Quantitative real-tune PCR was used to investigate CE effects on the expression of genes coding for adipokines glucose transporter (GLUT) family and insulin-signaling components in mouse 3T3-L1 adipocytes CE (10014/mu g/ml) increased GLUT1 mRNA levels 1 91 0 15 439 +/- 0 78 and 698 +/- 2 18-fold of the control after 2- 4- and 16-h treatments respectively CE decreased the expression of further genes encoding insulin-signaling pathway proteins including GSK3B IGF1R IGF2R and PIK3R1 This study indicates that CE regulates the expression of multiple genes in adipocytes and this regulation could contribute to the potential health benefits of CE Published by Elsevier GmbH