ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the expression of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) of skeletal muscle cells and the changes of skeletal muscle microstructure of diabetic rats, and to explore the relationship between the expressions of GLP-1R and insulin resistance in skeletal muscle. Methods Male Wistar rats were divided into two groups, normal glucose tolerance ( NT, n =25 ) , diabetes group ( DM group, n=30), the methods of creating diabetes model were used high-sugar high-fat diet and low-dose in-traperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. Immunohistochemical methods was used to detect the expression of GLP-1R in the muscle cells. The number of GLP-1R positive cells in the muscle of two groups was observed and compared. The relationship was analyzed between the homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and the number of GLP-1R positive cells. Results ⑴Compared to the NT group, the num-ber of GLP-1R positive cells in muscle of DM group was decreased (P<0. 05); ⑵ Compared to the NT group, HOMA-IR was increased in DM group (P<0. 05);⑶ Pearson correlation analysis showed that the percentage of GLP-1R positive cells expressed in rat skeletal muscle was negatively correlated with HOMA-IR (r= -0. 538, P<0. 01). Conclusions The expression of GLP-1R positive cells was decreased in the skeletal muscle of diabetic rats, insulin resistance increased. Therefore, the expression of GLP-1R on skele-tal muscle cells may promote the development of insulin resistance and diabetes mellitus.