Fig. 1

Ascorbate protects against hepatic steatosis and insulin resistance in guinea pigs. a Illustration of animal assay. b Body weight change within 18 weeks (n = 6). c Fat and lean ratio for guinea pigs (n ≥ 5). d TG contents in liver (n = 6). e Representative H&E stained and oil red O stained pictures of liver samples. f ITT assays performed on guinea pigs with/ without ascorbate intervention after fasting (n = 6). Area under curve (AUC) was quantified as depicted in colunm diagram. g IPGTT assays performed on guinea pigs with/ without ascorbate intervention after fasting (n = 6). Area under curve (AUC) was quantified as depicted in colunm diagram. h Insulin content in serum after fasting (n = 6). i Western blotting for insulin signaling pathway in liver (left) and muscle (right). Statistical significance was assessed with one way ANOVA