EFFECTS OF LEVO-CARNITINE AND SIMVASTATIN ON FASTING GLUCOSE AND C-REACTIVE PROTEIN LEVELS IN INSULIN RESISTANT RATS

Abstract

Obesity is a pro-inflammatory condition in which adipose tissue contributes to increased levels of pro inflammatory cytokines such as C-reactive protein (CRP), which has been identified as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease as well as insulin resistance. The role of lipid lowering drugs in the treatment of insulin resistant states and metabolic syndrome is significant. Objective of the present study was to determine the effects of Simvastatin and L-carnitine, individually and in combination, on plasma glucose and CRP levels on high fat diet fed insulin-resistant obese Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Methods: Eighty healthy SD rats were randomly divided into five groups of sixteen rats each. Group-1 was given normal pellet diet (NPD) and served as control while the rest were given high fat diet (HFD) to induce obesity. Insulin resistance was confirmed after two months of HFD, and drug administration (simvastatin: 12 mg/Kg and levo-carnitine: 200 mg/Kg orally) carried out for one month in groups 3, 4 and 5. At the end of this period, plasma glucose levels and CRP levels were recorded and statistically analysed. Results: The fasting plasma glucose levels were reduced significantly in carnitine group, insignificantly in simvastatin group, and no synergistic effect was seen in the combination therapy group. Significant reduction in CRP levels was induced by both the monotherapy groups; the maximum reduction was seen in combination group.