Background: This study evaluated the metabolic changes in male obese rats induced by monosodium glutamate (MSG) and determined the possible effect of metformin, Janumet, and Victoza on improving the metabolic changes by assessing the levels of triacylglycerol, cholesterol, fasting blood glucose, glucagon, insulin, HbA1c, leptin, resistin, TNF-α, and interleukin-6. In addition, the Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) was calculated to assess insulin resistance.
Methods: Rats were orally administered MSG (15 mg/kg of bodyweight [BW]) for 3 months to induce obesity. They were divided into two groups, with MSG continued only in one group. Each group was divided into four sub-groups, namely non-treated MSG obese rats, and those treated with Victoza, Janumet, and metformin, respectively. Bodyweight and other parameters were measured after a month from the beginning of the treatment and data were statistically analyzed.
Results: The MSG obese rats showed a marked increase in the average B.W. and levels of all parameters. Conversely, the lifestyle modification model and all treated groups showed a reduction in average B.W. and a significant improvement in the levels of triacylglycerol, cholesterol, FBS, HbA1c, insulin, HOMA-IR, leptin, resistin, and pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, and IL-6.
Conclusion: This study indicates that lifestyle modification along with administration of Victoza, Janumet, or metformin improved the carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, insulin sensitivity, and pro-inflammatory cytokines levels. Thus, this treatment strategy could be used for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in patients suffering from obesity and insulin resistance.
Key words: Obesity, MSG, lifestyle modification, IR, pro-inflammatory cytokines
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