Effect of Cr(III) on prevention of insulin resistance in HepG2 cells

Abstract

We investigated whether Cr(III) -induced EPO production could prevent insulin resistance in HepG2 cells. HepG2 cells were cultured in DMEM medium supplemented with palmitic acid to induce insulin resistance. The addition of Cr(III) suppressed the increase in the expression of G-6-Pase and PCK1 mRNA and the decrease in pAKT/AKT, which are indicators of insulin resistance, and prevented insulin resistance. Pretreatment with siEPO inhibited the prevention of insulin resistance. These results suggest that EPO production by Cr(III) is involved in the prevention of insulin resistance in HepG2 cells.