Metformin Preserves Function and Histology of Liver in Type 2 Diabetic Rat Model

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus (DM) causes significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. Metformin is considered

first-line oral therapy for type 2 DM, together with lifestyle modification. The objective of this study was to evaluate the protective effects of metformin on the liver in the type 2 DM rat (T2DR) model. The rats were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) to become obese, followed by a single low dose of streptozotocin (STZ) at 35 mg/kg intraperitoneally to induce T2DR. Twenty-eight male Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were divided into four groups equally (n=7): Control, Obese (obese rats), T2DR (Untreated T2DR), or Met-T2DR (T2DR on oral metformin at 250 mg/kg/day for six weeks). Weekly levels of fasting blood glucose (FBG) were measured. Rats were euthanised, and liver function tests and lipid profiles were measured. The histology of the liver was examined using haematoxylin and eosin staining. The met-T2DR group demonstrated a significant decrease in FBG levels beginning in week 3 and preserved liver function and histology, and lipid profile comparable to control. The effect of metformin in lowering blood glucose was demonstrated, thus controlling diabetes and preventing liver complications. The mechanism of the hepatoprotective effect could be linked to glycaemic control and lipid metabolism.