Comparative Analysis of The Effects of Short-Term Metformin and Metformin- Insulin Combination on the Liver in Diabetes Wistar Rats

Abstract

Objective: To compare the effects of drugs (Metformin and combination) on weight, size and volume of liver in diabetic rats. Study Design and Setting: This was an experimental comparative study conducted at Institute of Bio Medical Sciences (IBMS), Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS), Ojha Campus, Karachi. Methodology: The study was conducted on 40 albino wistar rats. Diabetic rats (n=20) were grouped into 2. One group was treated with metformin (n=10)while the other group with insulin-metformin combination (n=10) for 4 weeks. All the treated groups were compared with untreated diabetic killed (n=10). After a short period of 4 weeks, all the rats were sacrificed. Livers were isolated, weighed and grossly observed for significant changes. Absolute and mean percent liver weights as well as liver volumeof all rats were calculated. Results: Data was analyzed by using GraphPad Prism version 5.0.Data for absolute/percent liver weight and liver volume was expressed as Mean ± SEM. The value obtained was analyzed by Two-way ANOVA followed by Bonferroni test wherever applicable.P-value of = 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Conclusion: The short-term metformin and insulin-metformin treatment doesn’t effect liver weight and volume significantly and hence, their short-term use is beneficial in type 2 diabetes