Background: Aging-related changes in liver alter both hepatic
structure and function, thus, increasing the mortality rate in
susceptible old patients. Metformin provide health benefits to elderly
individuals when ingested in appropriate amounts and it is one of the
physiological triggers of Peroxisome Proliferator- Activated
Receptor- Gamma (PPARγ) and Irisin. Aim: This study aimed to
investigate the effect of metformin on hepatic aging induced by Dgalactose (D- gal) in rats, clarifying the role of PPARγ/ Irisin pathway
in this process. Methods: 24 adult Wister albino male rats divided
into 4 groups: group I (control group): rats received saline; ip, group
II (D- gal group): rats received D- gal; ip, group III (Metformin
group): rats received Metformin orally & group IV (Metformin + Dgal group): rats received D- gal with Metformin. At the end of
experiment, the serum samples were taken for biochemical estimation
of Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), Aspartate aminotransferase
(AST), Albumin and hepatic tissue PPARγ and Irisin protein levels.
Results: compared to control group, D- gal caused hepatic injury confirmed by a significant
increase in ALT and AST with a significant decrease in Albumin. Metformin in group IV
prevented these changes through increased hepatic PPARγ and Irisin. Conclusion: Metformin
showed a protective effect against the D- gal induced hepatic aging through induction of hepatic
PPARγ and Irisin. |
