Effect of Metformin on Adipose Tissue Degeneration During Obesity

Abstract

Obesity is associated with an increased inflammation involved in the development of atherosclerosis and insulin resistance. Macrophages are key in the genesis of these processes. Obesity induces macrophage accumulation in adipose tissue, they produce many of the inflammatory molecules secreted by adipose tissue like TNF-α, interleukins (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8), as well as acute phase proteins such as haptoglobin (Hp), PAI-1 and C-reactive protein. The presence of these molecules in obesity relates this pathology to various inflammation degrees.The analysis of histological sections obtained from rabbit adipose tissue biopsy samples and processed by the hematoxylin-eosin and immunohistochemistry, showed the effect of metformin, a molecule which acts on the insulin metabolism, by the degeneration of this tissue during obesity. Metformin and its effects on metabolism are such that decreases the inflammation process suffered by adipose tissue, which is reflected by morphological changes in the distribution and migration of cells in the histological structure.