Volume 28, Issue 2 (July 2024)                   Physiol Pharmacol 2024, 28(2): 141-156 | Back to browse issues page

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Salem H R, S. Hanna G, H. Hassan M, El-kotb S, Rashad S, Yassien R I, et al . Combined metformin and insulin therapy improves neurocognitive dysfunction in type 2 diabetic rat model via anti-inflammatory and antioxidant mechanisms. Physiol Pharmacol 2024; 28 (2) : 5
URL: http://ppj.phypha.ir/article-1-2229-en.html
Combined metformin and insulin therapy improves neurocognitive dysfunction in type 2 diabetic rat model via anti-inflammatory and antioxidant mechanisms
Heba Rady Salem , Gergess S. Hanna , Mohammed H. Hassan , Safaa El-kotb , Samar Rashad , Rania Ibrahim Yassien , Mahmoud Selim , Ghada Samir Amer
Abstract:   (1035 Views)

Introduction: Improper glycemic control is associated with diabetic cognitive dysfunction. Several studies have confirmed the neuroprotective effects of metformin and insulin. This study aimed to investigate the effects of metformin and/or insulin therapy on neurocognitive functions in a type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) rat model.
Methods: Fifty adult male Wistar rats were used in this study and had free access to water and a normal chow diet. After an acclimatization period, 10 rats were kept on a normal chow diet and considered as the control group. T2DM was induced in the other 40 rats by a high-fat diet and low-dose streptozotocin method. Then, diabetic rats were randomly allocated into 4 equal groups: Non-treated diabetic group; Metformin-treated diabetic group (treated with metformin 250 mg/kg/day for 6 weeks); Insulin-treated diabetic group (treated with NPH insulin 40 U/kg for 6 weeks); and Metformin and insulin-treated diabetic group. Neurocognitive functions were assessed by footprint assay, Y-maze, open field test, and Morris water maze. Glycaemic profile, serum levels of amyloid A, interleukin-18, and nuclear factor-kappa B were analyzed. Brain malondialdehyde and total antioxidant capacity were measured. A histopathological examination of the frontal lobe was performed.
Results: Treatment with metformin and/or insulin significantly improved the impaired neurocognitive dysfunction, brain oxidative stress, changes in biochemical parameters, and the associated histopathological changes in the frontal cortex of diabetic rats. The combined therapy showed a better effect than either monotherapy alone.
Conclusion: Metformin and insulin therapy may be valuable for the prevention of neurocognitive dysfunction in T2DM.

Article number: 5
Keywords: Diabetes mellitus, Memory, Metformin, NF-kB, Oxidative stress
Full-Text [PDF 1550 kb]   (138 Downloads)    
Type of Manuscript: Experimental research article | Subject: Neurophysiology/Pharmacology
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