Metformin, sitagliptin, and liraglutide modulate serum retinol-binding protein-4 level and adipocytokine production in type 2 diabetes mellitus rat model.

Many adipocytokines correlate with obesity and insulin resistance. We examined the effects of metformin, sitagliptin, and liraglutide in diabetic rats. Group 1: control normal (CN) rats received oral saline daily. Group 2: diabetic non-treated (DNT) rats were injected with streptozotocin (STZ) to get diabetic then after 72 h received oral saline daily. Group 3: rats were injected with STZ then after 72 h were treated with metformin (200 mg/kg) orally. Group 4: rats were injected with STZ then after 72 h received sitagliptin 6 mg/kg orally twice daily. Group 5: rats were injected with STZ then after 72 h were treated with liraglutide at a dose of 0.3 mg/kg every 12 h subcutaneous injection. After 8 weeks, body mass, fasting blood glucose, adipocytokines, and lipid profile were assessed. From the results, we concluded that the 3 drugs improved blood glucose and insulin resistance with correction of adipocytokines serum levels; however, the liraglutide-treated group was the only group that showed significant body mass reduction.