Lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-Idaea L) Mobilizes L6 Muscle GLUT4 Transporters and Exerts Anti-Obesity and Antidiabetic Effects in vivo

Lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea L.) is an important part of Scandinavian diet. It is also popular in some parts of Europe and North America, and is used to produce confectionary and food products. This plant has been identified among species used by the Cree of EeyouIstchee (northern Quebec) to treat symptoms of diabetes. In a previous study, the ethanol extract of V. vitis berries enhanced glucose uptake in C2C12 muscle cells through stimulation of AMP?activated protein kinase (AMPK) pathway. In this study, we firstly investigated the effect of this product on the translocation of insulin?sensitive glucose transporters GLUT4 in L6-GLUT4myc skeletal muscle cells. V. vitis extract (200 μg?ml, 18h) significantly increased glucose uptake and induced GLUT4 translocation to the cell membrane of L6 cells through an insulin?independent mechanism involving AMPK. Secondly, we carried out in vivo experiment to validate its antidiabetic effect. The extract was administered to diabetic KKAy mice for 10 days. V. vitis decreased glycaemia, cumulative food intake and body weight. Moreover, V. vitis tended to increase skeletal muscle GLUT4 expression and attenuated hepatic statuses. These results demonstrate that V. vitis berries represent a promising avenue for the culturally adapted management of obesity and diabetes in Canadian aboriginals.