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

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.

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Pak J Physiol 2014;10(3-4):24–7