Abstract: AIM: To investigate the effect of Agkistrodon halys's venom on stimulation glucose uptake and the effect of the Agkistrodon halys's venom on Akt activity in Hep G2 cells. METHODS: The Hep G2 cells were inoculated in the culture capsule. The Hep G2 cells were randomized into four groups(n =6 wells each): Control group, insulin group, Agkistrodon halys's venom group and insulin with Agkistrodon halys's venom group. Scintillation was used to detect 2-DG uptake in Hep G2 cells. The phosphorylation of Akt was tested using western blot. RESULTS: Compared with control cells, Agkistrodon halys's venom significantly stimulated the glucose uptake (P<0.01) and increased the insulin-stimulated glucose uptake(P<0.01) in Hep G2 cells. The venom evidently enhanced the activity of Akt inHep G2 cells. CONCLUSION: The venom stimulates the glucose uptake and increases the insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in Hep G2 cells, is a potential anti-hyperglycemic agent.

Key words: Agkistrodon halys's venom, glucose uptake, insulin, p-Akt