Objective:To investigate the effect of Danzhi Jiangtang capsule on protein expression of adiponectin (APN)

adaptor protein containing PH domain

PTB domain and leucine zipper motif1 (APPL1) and glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) in skeletal muscle in obese rats fed with high-fat diet. Method: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into basal diet group (NC group)

untreated high-fat diet group (HF group)

high-fat diet plus Danzhi Jiangtang capsule (FD group

470 mg · kg-1 · d-1)

high-fat diet plus pioglitazone (PIO group

10 mg · kg-1 · d-1)

high-fat diet plus Danzhi Jiangtang capsule and pioglitazone (FD/PIO group

470 mg · kg-1 · d-1 for Danzhi Jiangtang capsule plus 10 mg · kg-1 · d-1 for pioglitazone). These treatment drugs were added to the animals by intragastric administration for 4 weeks. The animals in NC group continued to be given the basal diet and distilled water by intragastric administration. The contents of triglyceride in skeletal muscle were measured by automatic biochemical analyzer

and protein expression of APN

APPL1 and GLUT4 were determined by immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis

respectively. Result: ①The contents of triglyceride in skeletal muscle were significantly higher in HF group than in NC group (P<0.01). Compared with HF group

The contents of triglyceride in skeletal muscle in each intervention group were reduced significantly (P<0.05).②Immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis revealed that protein expression of APN

APPL1 and GLUT4 in skeletal muscle in HF group were signicantly lower than in NC group (P<0.05). Compared with HF group

The APN

APPL1 and GLUT4 expression in skeletal muscle in each intervention group were increased significantly(P<0.05).③Pearson correlation analysis showed that the contents of triglyceride in skeletal muscle were positive correlated with HOMA-IR (r=0.63

P<0.01). By contrast

the contents of triglyceride in skeletal muscle were negative correlated with protein expression of APN

APPL1 and GLUT4 (r=-0.57

-0.51

-0.62

respectively

all P<0.01). In addition

HOMA-IR was negative correlated with protein expression of APN

APPL1 and GLUT4 (r=-0.57

-0.51

-0.62

respectively

all P<0.05

P<0.01). Conclusion: Danzhi Jiangtang capsule can upregulate the expression of APN

APPL1 and GLUT4 in skeletal muscle of obese rats

reduce lipid deposition in skeletal muscle

thus improve skeletal insulin resistance.