Effect of metformin on chronic inflammation associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver in type 2 diabetes mellitus rats

CAI Feng; LIU Jurong; FAN Demei; SHEN Jingxue

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1006-5725.2018.12.011

Abstract：Objective To investigate the effects of metformin(Met)on liver function,chronic inflammation and liver fibrosis in rats with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) combined with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Methods 4 groups of rat models were established:the control group(group A),T2DM group(group B),T2DM+NAFLD group(group C)and T2DM+NAFLD+Met group(group D). After grouping,the specimens of blood and liver tissues were taken. Serum liver function,C-reactive protein(CRP),tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)and interleukin-6(IL-6)were detected,and then their insulin resistance was assessed. The pathological changes of the liver were detected by HE staining,oil red O staining,Masson staining and reticular fiber staining, and the expression of TNF-α,IL-6 and CRP in liver tissue was detected by immunohistochemistry. Results (1) The degree of insulin resistance and hypohepatia in group B and C were higher than those in group A,and those of group D were lower than those in group C.(2)The levels of inflammatory cytokines in group B and C were higher than those in group A,and the level in group D were lower than those in group C.(3)The pathological examination of liver showed that there was significant fatty degeneration,fatty inflammation and fibrosis in the livers of group C,and group D was better than those in group C. Conclusions Met is effective in the improvement of insulin resis-tance,hypohepatia,chronic inflammation and liver fibrosis in type 2 diabetes mellitus associated with non-alco-holic fatty liver disease,which in mechanism may be related to the decreased expression of inflammatory factors and improved chronic inflammatory state.