ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the long-term effects of low dosage Changle intake on the serum insulin and hepatocyte glycogen of rats. Methods The levels of serum insulin and hepatocyte glycogen in rat were measured by radioimmunoassay and microscopy image analysis system after 6 and 7 months of administrated with Changle(0. 1, 0.2, 2.0 and 10.0 mg/kg). Results Taken Changle for 6 months, the serum insulin level in the 10.0 mg/kg group reduced, hepatocyte glycogen level increased in the female and the male rats. In 0.1, 0.2, and 2.0 mg/kg groups, the serum insulin level increased and the hepatocyte glycogen level decreased in the male. After 6 months of the Changle treatment, the treatment was then followed by normal food, one month later, the level of serum insulin and hepatocyte glycogen returned to the normal level. Conclusion A long-term low dosage exposure of Changle can induce the serum insulin and hepatocyte glycogen changes in rats and the serum insulin and hepatocyte glycogen levels may return to the normal levels after a short time of stopping Changle intake.