Ferulic acid regulates hepatic GLUT2 gene expression in high fat and fructose-induced type-2 diabetic adult male rat.

GLUT2 is a bidirectional glucose transporter present in liver, kidney and pancreas. Studies have shown over-expression of GLUT2 in diabetic conditions. Ferulic acid (FA) is an antidiabetic phenolic phytocompound which is reported to regulate GLUT4 in vitro. The objective of our study is to evaluate the role of FA in the regulation of hepatic GLUT2 expression and the underlying mechanism. Male Wistar rats were divided into 5 groups: control, diabetic (diabetes was induced by giving high fat diet and high fructose water for 60 days), diabetic rats treated with FA (50mg/kg body weight/day, orally for 30 days), diabetic rats treated with metformin (50mg/kg body weight/day, orally for 30 days) and control rats treated with FA (50mg/kg body weight/day orally for 30 days). After 30 days treatment, animals were perfused and liver was dissected out. Glucose uptake and oxidation, expression of GLUT2 and binding of transcription factors - SREBP1c, HNF1α and HNF3β with GLUT2 gene promoter were studied. Over-expression of GLUT2 in hepatic tissue was found in high fat and fructose- induced type-2 diabetic animals. FA treatment reduced the GLUT2 expression in diabetic animals by impairing the interaction between these transcription factors (SREBP1c, HNF1α and HNF3β) and GLUT2 gene promoter.