Abstract
AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is known to regulate both glucose and lipid
metabolism, which play vital roles in the development of metabolic syndrome. One way of regulating
AMPK is through hormonal activation using adiponectin. Patients diagnosed with type-2 diabetes
(T2D) and obesity exhibit low adiponectin concentration levels in their blood. Moreover, studies
have also shown that inflammatory processes play a significant role in the etiology of these
metabolic diseases. In this study, the long-term effects of neonatal intake of oleanolic acid (OA)
on the AMPK gene, genes associated with glucose transport and lipid metabolism, adiponectin levels,
and inflammatory biomarkers in rats fed with a high fructose diet were investigated. Seven day old
pups were randomly divided into five groups and treated as follows; 0.5% dimethylsulphoxide v/v in
distilled water vehicle control (CON), oleanolic acid (OA, 60 mg/kg), high fructose diet (HF, 20%
w/v), high fructose diet combined with oleanolic acid (HF+OA), and high fructose diet combined
with metformin (HF+MET, 500 mg/kg)...