Influence of metformin on lipid мetabolism and chronic inflammation in the liver тissues of mice on a diet rich in fructose

Abstract

The effect of metformin on lipid metabolism and the expression of pro-inflammatory factors in the liver tissue of mice that were on a diet rich in fructose (DRF) (60 g fructose / 100 g of food) has been studied. The concentrations of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), ceruloplasmin (CP), glucose in serum and mRNA expression of inhibitor of NF-kB (IkBα), mRNA of tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) have been determined in homogenates of liver tissues in 3-monthsaged mice of BALBc line weighing 25-30 g. It has been demonstrated that increasing the content of fructose in the diet leads to increased concentrations of glucose, TC and TG in the blood of mice. Manifestations of systemic inflammatory response become stronger, as evidenced by the increase in CP in the blood serum and the expression level of mRNA of TNFα in liver tissues of animals that were on a DRF. Metformin in the dose of 50 mg / kg per day reduced the production of triglycerides in the blood serum of mice that were on a DRF; it contributed to the normalization of hepatic gluconeogenesis. Administering metformin caused anti-inflammatory effect by lowering serum CP and expression of mRNA of TNFα in liver tissues of these animals. Thus, the data suggest the protective effect of metformin on lipid metabolism and the expression of pro-inflammatory factors associated with NF-kB-signaling pathway in the liver tissues of mice which were on a DRF.