Effects of metformin on the expressions of ATF6 and Caspase12 in hippocampus of type 2 diabetic rats

Abstract

Objective To investigate the effect of metformin on the expressions of activating transcription factor-6(ATF6)and Caspase12 in hippocampus of type 2 diabetic rats. Methods GK male rats with random blood glucose≥11.1 mmol/L were orally administrated with normal saline(DM group)and metformin(MET group, 85 mg·kg-1·d-1)for 8 weeks(n=10 each group). Wistar male rats were selected as normal contorl group(NC, n=10). After 8 weeks of continuous medication, body weight and fasting plasma glucose(FPG)were measured, and the morphology of HE stained cells and the expressions of ATF6 and Caspase12 by immunohistochemistry staining in the CA1 area of hippocampus were detected. Results Compared with NC group, the body weight of DM and MET groups decreased(P 0.05). In comparison with NC group, FPG levels in DM and MET groups were markedly increased(P<0.05)while FPG level in MET group was significantly lower than that in DM group(P<0.05). The normal nerve cells in the CA1 region of hippocampal were lower in DM and MET groups than those in NC group, especially in DM group. The protein expressions of ATF6 and Caspase12 in DM and MET groups were higher than that in NC group(all P<0.05), and the expressions of the two protein in MET group were significantly decreased as compared with DM group(P<0.05). Conclusion Metformin reduces the expressions of ATF6 and Caspase12 in hippocampus of type 2 diabetic rats, which may be related to its protective effect on brain. (Chin J Endocrinol Metab, 2018, 34: 594-597) Key words: Metformin; Diabetes mellitus, type 2; Activating transcription factor-6; Caspase12