Impact of Metformin and Pioglitazone on Serum Level of Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha and Lipid Profiles during Implantation Window in Diabetic Rats

The present study was designed to evaluate serum lipid profile and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-ɑ) level in diabetic rats at implantation time. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) could affect various systems, including innate immune system and it causes chronic low-grade inflammation, increasing level of TNF-ɑ. Furthermore, T2DM is often accompanied by impaired lipid profile. Metformin and pioglitazone are used as the first and second lines of treatment for T2DM. In this experimental study, 35 adult virgin female wistar rats, weighting 175-225 g, were randomly categorized into five groups: i. Control, ii. Sham, iii. Nicotinamide (NA)+streptozotocin (STZ) induced T2DM, iv. Diabetic+pioglitazone (20 mg/kg/day for 28 days oral administration), and v. Diabetic+metformin (100 mg/kg/day for 28 days oral administration). At the time of implantation, TNF-ɑ level in serum of rats was measured by ELISA kit. Glucose was measured using photometric method and lipid profiles were calculated by enzymatic methods. Level of TNF-ɑ in the diabetic group was significantly higher than other groups (P<0.001). In metformin treated group, TNF-ɑ serum level was also significantly higher than pioglitazone treated group (P<0.001). Fasting blood sugar (FBS) and lipid profiles were significantly higher in diabetic group. Metformin and pioglitazone have similar effects on glucose, lipid profiles and TNF-ɑ serum levels. Among these drugs, pioglitazone has more efficient influence on TNF-α serum level, in comparison with metformin.