BRAZILIN STIMULATES THE GLUCOSE-TRANSPORT IN 3T3-L1 CELLS

Brazilin drobenz[b]indeno[1,2-d]pyran-3,6a,9,10(6H)-tetrol} was found to have hypoglycemic action and increase glucose metabolism in experim ental diabetic animals. In order to investigate the mechanism of hypog lycemic action of brazilin, the effects of brazilin on glucose transpo rt, insulin receptor autophosphorylation, and protein kinase C(PKC) ac tivity in 3T3-L1 cells were studied. Brazilin increased basal glucose transport in 3T3-L1 fibroblasts and adipocytes. However, insulin-stimu lated glucose transport was not influenced. Autophosphorylation of the partially purified insulin receptor was not affected by brazilin trea tment in 3T3-L1 fibroblasts. However, brazilin decreased the PKC activ ity in 3T3-L1 fibroblasts and adipocytes.