Abstract: To investigate the effects of ethanol on glycogen content, glycogen synthase kinase3β (GSK3β), and phosphoAMPactivated protein kinase (PAMPK) of human liver L02 cells in vitro. MethodsL02 cells were treated with ethanol and were divided into the 0, 50 or 100?mmol/L group. After treatment for 24 hours, all cells were collected and were further analyzed. The Glycogen content was determined by anthronesulfuric acid colorimetry, and expression of both GSK3β and PAMPK was observed by western blot analysis. After AICAR and Compound C which works as a selective agonist or inhibitor of AMPK respectively treated the cells for 1 h prior to ethanol, GSK3β expression was determined. ResultsCompared with the 0?mmol/L group, the glycogen content decreased, while protein expression of both GSK3β and PAMPK increased in the 50 and 100?mmol/L group (P<0.05). No differences was shown in the glycogen content and protein expression between the 50 and 100?mmol/L group (P＞0.05). No expression changes of GSK3β were observed after either AICAR or Compound C treatment. ConclusionGlycogen content of L02 cells is decreased after ethanol exposure, which may be due to GSK3β activity.

Key words: Ethanol, Glycogen, Ca(2+)Calmodulin dependent protein Kinase, Protein kinases