Abstract

Oleoylethanolamide (OEA) is an endogenous peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) agonist that acts on the peripheral control of energy metabolism. However, its therapeutic potential and related mechanisms in hepatic glucose metabolism under type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are not clear. Here, OEA treatment markedly improved glucose homeostasis in a PPARα-independent manner. OEA efficiently promoted glycogen synthesis and suppressed gluconeogenesis in mouse primary hepatocytes and liver tissue. OEA enhanced hepatic glycogen synthesis and inhibited gluconeogenesis via liver kinase B1 (LKB1)/5′ AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathways. PPARα was not involved in the roles of OEA in the LKB1/AMPK pathways. We found that OEA exerts its antidiabetic effect by increasing glycogenesis and decreasing gluconeogenesis via the LKB1/AMPK pathway. The ability of OEA to control hepatic LKB1/AMPK pathways may serve as a novel therapeutic approach for the treatment of T2DM.