Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIM: At present, there are no effective drugs for the treatment of insulin resistance. MTH-3, a curcumin derivative, exerts potent anti-cancer effects. The aim of the present study was to explore whether MTH-3 is capable of regulating palmitic acid (PA)-induced insulin resistance in C(2)C(12) cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cell viability was examined using the MTT assay. C(2)C(12) cells were treated with PA and evaluated for the production of oil droplets using an Oil Red O assay. Glucose uptake was analysed by the 2-NBDG assay. RESULTS: Treatment of cells with up to 500 μM PA for 24 h or with 5 or 10 μM MTH-3 had no effect on cell viability. PA induced production of oil droplets in C(2)C(12) cells. After adding MTH-3, the quantity of oil droplets decreased significantly and glucose uptake recovered. CONCLUSION: MTH-3 may become an efficient drug for the treatment of insulin resistance and associated diseases.