Abstract:

Objective To observe efficacy of combined treatment of rosiglitazone and metformin on intrahepatic fat deposition in type 2 diabetic patients. Methods Thirty-three type 2 diabetic patients with intrahepatic lipid but without the use of oral hypoglycemic agents were divided into rosiglitazone group (n=16) and rosiglitazone combined with metformin group (n=17). Physical parameters (body weight, waist circumstance, hip circumstance, body mass index, and waist-hip ratio) were measured before treatment and 24 weeks after treatment. Fasting blood was collected to measure levels of fasting blood glucose, lipid level, serum adiponectin, and TNF-α. Imaging techniques were used to assess intraabdominal fat area, subcutaneous abdominal fat area, and intrahepatic lipid content. The parameters before and after treatment were compared between the two groups. Results In rosiglitazone combined with metformin group, body weight, body mass index, waist circumstance, waist-hip ratio, intraabdominal fat area, and subcutaneous abdominal fat area decreased significantly compared to those before treatment (P<0.05 or P<0.01), while such changes were not observed in rosiglitazone group. After treatment, in both groups, fasting blood glucose, intrahepatic fat content, and serum TNF-α decreased (P<0.05 or P<0.01), but serum adiponectin increased (P<0.01). And changes were more significant in rosiglitazone combined with metformin group (P<0.05). Conclusion Intrahepatic lipid was decreased by treatment of rosiglitazone alone and combined with metformin, while the combined treatment was more effective.

Key words: intrahepatic content of lipid, rosiglitazone, metformin, type 2 diabetic