Fig. 4.

Genistein protected INS1 cells and islets from apoptosis. INS1 cells (A, B), mouse (C, D), or human (E, F) islets were pretreated with or without genistein (G) at indicated concentrations for 12 h, followed by addition of 0.5 mM palmitate (PA) and 20 mM glucose (Glu). Cellular apoptosis (A, C, E) and caspase-3 activity (B, D, F) were measured after 72 h and 48 h of treatment, respectively. Values were expressed as fold of the control. (G) INS1 cells were treated with genistein (G) or vehicle for 48 h. Cellular Bcl-2 protein was detected by western blot and normalized to β-actin content. (H) INS1cells were co-transfected with Bcl-2 promoter and control plasmids, followed by addition of genistein for 24 h. Luciferase activity in the cell lysates was measured. *, p<0.05 vs. control; #, p<0.05 vs. Glu and PA-alone treated islets (n=4±SEM).