Red rice koji extract alleviates hyperglycemia by increasing glucose uptake and glucose transporter type 4 levels in skeletal muscle in two diabetic mouse models

Background: Red rice koji (RRK), prepared by growing Monascus species on steamed rice, has been reported to lower blood glucose levels in diabetic animal models. However, the action mechanism is not yet completely understood. Objective: The objective of this study was to examine the mechanism underlying the hypoglycemic action of RRK extract in two diabetic animal models: the insulin-deficiency mice, where the insulin deficiency was induced by streptozotocin (STZ), and insulin-resistance mice,...