Impact of metformin, acarbose and their combinatioion on visfatin level in nicotinamide/streptozotocin-induced type 2 diabetic rats Print

Metformin and acarbose are two drugs, currently used for treatment of diabetes.The present study examined the effect of them, alone and combined together, on glycemic control, lipid profile and serum visfatin level in nicotinamide/streptozocin type2 diabetic rats. Type 2 diabetes was induced in male wistar rats, by a single intraperitoneal injection of (60 mg/kg body weight) Streptozocin,15 minutes after the i.p.administration of (110 mg/kg body weight) of nicotinamide. After one week, diabetic rats were randomly divided in 4 groups. Three diabetic groups were treated respectively, with 150 mg/kg/day of metformin, or acarbose 40mg/100g of diet and combination of them, for six weeks. Body mass index (BMI), fasting blood glucose(FBG), glycated hemoglobin(HbA1c), lipid profile, insulin, HOMA-IR and visfatin were assessed and compared with control group. The data showed all treatment methods down-regulated visfatin levels in diabetic rats, but reduction only in metformin group, was significant(162±21.7, 195.66±6.45, P=0.001). Serum insulin levels also decreased in all treated groups, but it was significant in acarbose (P<0.05)and combination therapy(P<0.05). Fasting blood glucose and glycated hemoglobin were decreased significantly in all treated rats, specifically in the treated group with two drugs combination. Lipid profile improved in all treated groups and HOMA-IR was improved in combination therapy. compared with acarbose or metformin monotherapy, addition of acarbose to metformin has superior antihyperglycaemia efficacy and provides an efficious and safe alternative for treatment of type2 diabetic rats.