Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To investigate an insulin resistance in BRL-3A cells after their exposure to palmitic acid (PA). METHODS: BRL-3A cells were incubated with PA (0,50,100,200,300,400 μmol/L) for 6,12 or 24 hours. After the exposure,cell viability,basic and insulin-stimulated glucose consumption were assayed. RESULTS: Incubation of cells with high concentrations of PA (200,300,400 μmol/L) significantly decreased survival of cells (P<0.05). Incubation of cells with low concentrations of PA (50,100 μmol/L) for 6 and 12 h had no significant effect on cell viability (P>0.05). The basic and insulin-stimulated glucose consumption in these cells were not altered by different concentration of PA incubation for 6 h (P>0.05). However,24 h after the exposure,all concentrations of PA decreased glucose consumption (P<0.05). At 12 h after the exposure,100 μmol/L of PA decreased basic and insulin-stimulated glucose consumption (P<0.05),and this ability remained unchanged after 72 h of continuing cultured. CONCLUSION: Incubation of BRL-3A cells with 100 μmol/L of PA for 12 h could induce insulin resistance in vitro.

Key words: palmitic acid, insulin resistance, glucose consumption, glucose oxidase peroxidase