The actions of fisetin on glucose metabolism in the rat liver

Fisetin is a flavonoid dietary ingredient found in the smoke tree (Cotinus coggyria) and in several fruits and vegetables. The effects of fisetin on glucose metabolism in the isolated perfused rat liver and some glucose-regulating enzymatic activities were investigated. Fisetin inhibited glucose lactate, and pyruvate release from endogenous glycogen. Maximal inhibitions of glycogenolysis (49%) and glycolysis (59%) were obtained with the concentration of 200 mu M. The glycogenolytic effects of glucagon and dinitrophenol were suppressed by fisetin 300 mu M. No significant changes in the cellular contents of AMP, ADP, and ATP were found. Fisetin increased the cellular content of glucose 6-phosphate and inhibited the glucose 6-phosphatase activity. Gluconeogenesis from lactate and pyruvate or fructose was inhibited by fisetin 300 mu M. Pyruvate carboxylation in isolated intact mitochondria was inhibited (IC50 = 163.10 +/- 12.28 mu M); no such effect was observed in freeze-thawing disrupted mitochondria. It was concluded that fisetin inhibits glucose release from the livers in both fed and fasted conditions. The inhibition of pyruvate transport into the mitochondria and the reduction of the cytosolic NADH-NAD(+) potential redox could be the causes of the gluconeogenesis inhibition. Fisetin could also prevent hyperglycemia by decreasing glycogen breakdown or blocking the glycogenolytic action of hormones. Copyright (C) 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.