Effect of Opuntia humifusa Supplementation and Acute Exercise on Insulin Sensitivity and Associations with PPAR-γ and PGC-1α Protein Expression in Skeletal Muscle of Rats

Abstract

This study examined whether Opuntia humifusa (O. humifusa), which is a member of the Cactaceae family, supplementation and acute swimming exercise affect insulin sensitivity and associations with PPAR-γ and PGC-1α protein expression in rats. Thirty-two rats were randomly divided into four groups (HS: high fat diet sedentary group, n = 8; HE: high fat diet acute exercise group, n = 8; OS: 5% O. humifusa supplemented high fat diet sedentary group, n = 8; OE: 5% O. humifusa supplemented high fat diet acute exercise group, n = 8). Rats in the HE and OE swam for 120 min. before being sacrificed. Our results indicated that serum glucose level, fasting insulin level and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) in OS were significantly lower compared to those of the HS (p < 0.01, p < 0.05, p < 0.05). In addition, PPAR-γ protein expression in the OS and OE was significantly higher than that of the HS and HE, respectively (p < 0.05, p < 0.01). PGC-1α and GLUT-4 protein expressions in the OS were significantly higher compared to those of the HS (p < 0.05, p < 0.05). From these results, O. humifusa supplementation might play an important role for improving insulin sensitivity through elevation of PPAR-γ, PGC-1α, and GLUT-4 protein expression in rat skeletal muscle.

Opuntia humifusa Supplementation Reduces Fat Weight by Increasing PPAR-γ and PGC-1α Protein Expression in the Skeletal Muscle of Rats

“…Similar to our present study, Kang et al [17] reported that 8 weeks of O. humifusa supplementation increased PPAR-γ protein expression in a rat model. We suggest that increased PPAR-γ protein expression in the present study occurred through increased PGC-1α, which is a co-activator of PPAR-γ, due to intake of calcium-rich O. humifusa.…”

Opuntia spp.: Characterization and Benefits in Chronic Diseases

“…The use of animal models with diet-induced obesity helped to evaluate the nutritional values and some biological parameters of cactus seed supplements [ 99 , 100 ], dehydrated O. ficus-indica cladodes [ 101 , 102 ], or a combination of pre-Hispanic Mexican diet including nopal and nopal seeds [ 103 ] on rat models. These studies have shown that supplementation of diet with O. ficus-indica seed powder may have a favorable effect on the serum lipid profile and glucose, linked with beneficial effects on atherosclerosis, diabetes, and obesity [ 99 , 100 ].…”

“…These studies have shown that supplementation of diet with O. ficus-indica seed powder may have a favorable effect on the serum lipid profile and glucose, linked with beneficial effects on atherosclerosis, diabetes, and obesity [ 99 , 100 ]. It exerts a favorable impact on insulin sensitivity through the regulation of genes involved in adipocyte differentiation [ 102 ], it attenuates hepatic steatosis in obese Zucker (fa/fa) rats [ 101 ], and it decreases metabolic and cognitive abnormalities and gut microbiota dysbiosis caused by a high-fat diet in rats [ 103 ]. To determine the metabolic effect of an O. ficus-indica extract on a mouse model of diet-induced obesity [ 104 ], the extract was added to a high-fat diet and administered to mice for 12 weeks.…”

Opuntia humifusamodulates morphological changes characteristic of asthma via IL-4 and IL-13 in an asthma murine model

“…Recently, it has been shown to have antifungal [23] and anticancer [24,25] properties, as well as to improve insulin sensitivity [26] and increase bone density [27]. The objective of this study was to analyze the possible anti-asthmatic effects of O. humifusa and their mechanisms.…”