Gryllus bimaculatus extract ameliorates high-fat diet-induced hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia by inhibiting hepatic lipogenesis through AMPK activation

Insect-based food is increasingly used and is a sustainable protein source provided by eco-friendly breeding respecting the animal welfare. The cricket Gryllus bimaculatus is an approved edible insect. In this paper, the effects of G. bimaculatus extracts (AE-GBE) on hepatic insulin resistance and the underlying mechanisms were investigated in high fat diet (HFD)-fed C57BL/6J mice. Mice were fed HFD for 6 weeks and some were concomitantly given AE-GBE orally (100 mg/kg/day). AE-GBE significantly improved glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity by attenuating hepatic lipid accumulation measured by the reduced serum and hepatic lipid contents. Moreover, AE-GBE significantly downregulated the expression of hepatic lipogenesis-related genes and activated the AMPK signaling pathway. Therefore, AE-GBE might improve fatty liver and glucose metabolism disorders as well as insulin resistance by inhibiting the expression of proteins involved in hepatic fatty acid synthesis through AMPK activation.