Figure 5.

Astaxanthin (5 µM) enhances insulin-stimulated glucose transporter type 4 (GLUT4) translocation toward the plasma membrane and glucose uptake and consumption in C2C12 cells. A and B, Effects of astaxanthin on messenger RNA (mRNA) expressions (A) and protein levels (B) of GLUT4 in C2C12 cells. C and D, Astaxanthin promotes plasma membrane translocation of GLUT4. The GLUT4 translocation toward the plasma membrane was measured using plasma membrane lawn assay. Scale bar = 20 μm. E and F, Effects of astaxanthin on glucose uptake (E) and glucose consumption (F) in C2C12 cells. Data were presented as means ± standard error of mean (SEM) of 6 independent experiments. *P < .05, **P < .01.