EFFECTS OF SIMVASTATIN AND LEVO-CARNITINE ON DYSLIPIDEMIA AND INSULIN RESISTANCE IN OBESE INSULIN RESISTANT RATS

Authors

  • Gul-e-Naghma Saeed Department of Physiology, Foundation University Medical College, Islamabad

Keywords:

obesity, insulin resistance, lipid profile, simvastatin, levo-carnitine

Abstract

Background: Obesity and its accompanying problem of metabolic syndrome are a worldwide occurrence. To minimise the cardiovascular risks associated with metabolic syndrome, lipid lowering drugs like statins are given. This study was carried out to compare the effects of simvastatin and L-carnitine on insulin resistance and cardiac risk factors in high fat diet fed insulin-resistant obese Sprague-Dawley rats. Methods: Sixty-four healthy Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups of sixteen rats each. Group-1 was control and given normal pellet diet while the rest were given high fat diet to induce obesity. After two months, insulin resistance was confirmed by calculating TG/HDL-C ratio. High fat diet was continued and drugs administered (simvastatin 12 mg/Kg, and levo-carnitine 200 mg/Kg) for one month in groups 3 and 4 while group 2 served as control. At the end of this period, lipid profile, and plasma glucose levels were recorded and statistically analysed. Results: Plasma glucose, serum triglycerides, and total cholesterol were raised significantly in groups given high fat diet (p<0.000). Serum triglycerides were significantly decreased by both drugs (p<0.001), the reduction was more in carnitine than in simvastatin group (p>0.047). Total cholesterol reduction in simvastatin group was highly significant (p<0.002) but was insignificant in l- carnitine group (p<0.069). The reduction in the fasting plasma glucose levels was highly significant in levo-carnitine group (p<0.000), and not significant in simvastatin group (p<0.290). Insulin resistance was reduced by both the drug administered groups (p<0.01), the difference between the two groups was not significant (p>0.05). Conclusion: Both simvastatin and levo-carnitine succeeded in significantly reducing the risk factors for cardiovascular complications of obesity and metabolic syndrome although their maximal beneficial effect was on different parameters.

Keywords:

Pak J Physiol 2014;10(3-4):24–7

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Downloads

Published

17-05-2018

How to Cite

1.
Saeed G- e-N. EFFECTS OF SIMVASTATIN AND LEVO-CARNITINE ON DYSLIPIDEMIA AND INSULIN RESISTANCE IN OBESE INSULIN RESISTANT RATS. Pak J Phsyiol [Internet]. 2018 May 17 [cited 2024 Mar. 29];10(3-4):24–7. Available from: https://pjp.pps.org.pk/index.php/PJP/article/view/534