Figure 4. Apelin affects TNF-α-induced reduction of glycogen synthesis in the hepatocytes through G protein-coupled receptor APJ.

APJ expressed in HepG2 cells, primary mouse hepatocytes and liver tissues of mice (A). 20 nmol/L F13A, a competitive antagonist for APJ, was exposed to HepG2 cells and mouse primary hepatocytes treated with TNF-α or/and apelin. The regulation of apelin in glycogen synthesis and insulin signaling pathway was inhibited by treatment of F13A in HepG2 cells (B and C) and mouse primary hepatocytes (D and E). Data represent the means ± S.E.M., n = 3 independent experiments. * p<0.05; ** p<0.01 and *** p<0.001 by ANOVA test.