Regulation of Glucose Metabolism in Muscles from Dexamethasone Treated Rats : Effect of insulin, adrenaline and contraction
Year: 2009
Type: dissertation
Abstract: Diabetes is one of the world’s greatest health related concerns, and it affects more and more people every year. \n\nThe objective of this thesis was to investigate the various effects that the synthetic glucocorticoid dexamethasone exerted in rats. Dexamethasone in high concentration has been shown to induce insulin resistance in rat models, the models showing similar signs of disease as in patients affected by Cushing’s syndrome. \n\nThe purpose of this thesis was to investigate how dexamethasone treatment affected glucose metabolism in muscles. Skeletal muscles were incubated under the influence of different mediators of glucose and glycogen metabolism; insulin, adrenaline and contraction. Two experiments were conducted; I and II. \nThe purpose of Experiment I was to investigate the effects of dexamethasone treatment during five days of treatment. Insulin sensitivity was measured with glucose uptake and western blots. Glycogen content and lactate release were also measured. \nThe purpose of Experiment II was to investigate the effects of dexamethasone treatment after eleven days, and compared how a fed and fasted state affected the dexamethasone-induced state of insulin insensitivity. Glycogen content, western blots, lactate release and glucose uptake were measured. \n\nExperiment I and II show dexamethasone-mediated insulin insensitivity based on alterations in insulin-responsive tissues as skeletal muscles and liver.
Author: Anders Rasmushaugen
Language: English
Subfield: Molecular Biology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2403588332