The acute effects of Pterocarpus Marsupium supplementation on insulin-dependent and insulin-independent signaling pathways at rest, after an oral glucose tolerance test and after intense exercise in overweight pre-diabetic females.

Includes bibliographical references (p. ).Increasing physical activity and modifying diet to incorporate more phytonutrients has been suggested as a way to prevent the progression of insulin resistance (IR) into cardiometabolic disease. Pterocarpus Marsupium (PM), a phytonutrient compound shown to improve hyperglycemia, could potentially improve IR. The primary purpose of this study was to examine the effects of PM on insulin sensitivity and blood lipids in overweight and obese, sedentary women classified as prediabetic. Further, to examine the effects of acute ingestion of PM on insulin- and exercise-mediated glucose disposal following an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and aerobic exercise bout, and to understand the mechanisms by which PM supplementation may affect specific muscle gene expression. A double-blind, randomized, placebo controlled study was conducted. Participants consumed 250 mg of either PM (n=8) or placebo (PL, n=8) twice daily for 6 days. Blood and muscle samples were obtained prior to supplementation, prior to and following OGTT, and prior to and following an exercise bout. Following OGTT, plasma glucose levels were higher at 30 minutes (p