Reduction of Hepato-Metabolic Changes in Rat Model of Metabolic Syndrome by Metformin and Atorvastatin Combination

Abstract

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) and the commonly associated nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is an increasing health concern and hot topic in medical research. Together with lifestyle modification, metformin (MET) and statins are among drugs with potential therapeutic beneft. The aim of this study is to investigate the potential of synergistic combination of MET and atorvastatin (ATR) in rat model of MetS. Methods. Rats were fed on high-carbohydrate, highfat (HCHF) diet for 16 weeks and either of MET, ATR, or their combination were administered from the beginning of the 9th week to the end of the study. Body weight, insulin resistance, plasma lipids, serum transaminases, TNF-α, leptin and adiponectin as well as liver histopathology were assessed. Results. Both MET and ATR worked synergistically to reverse the biochemical and histological abnormalities of MetS and ameliorated steatohepatitis more than their individual effects. Conclusion. The present study clearly demonstrates a synergistic effect of MET an ATR combination to reverse hepato-metabolic abnormalities of MetS/NAFLD in rat model and calls for pursuing subsequent clinical studies to consolidate data at hand