Improvement of Insulin Sensitivity by Rosiglitazone Decreased the Visfatin Level in Obese Rats Induced by High Fat Diet

Despite the insulin-mimic effect of visfatin, controversy exists over its relation to insulin resistance associated with obesity. Rosiglitazone maleate (RSG) is used as insulin sensitizers in the treatment of type2 diabetes. Aim: the present study had been carried out in a trial to identify the relation of serum visfatin to glucose and insulin homeostasis in fatty albino rats and the effect of RSG treat ment in regulation of v isfatin level. Materials and Methods: A total number of 30 adult male albino rats were divided into 3 equal g roups: Group I, rats were served as control. Group II, rats received only high fat diet (HFD). Group III: rats received HFD and treated with RSG for 7 days. In all groups, HOMA-IR and serum levels of glucose, insulin and visfatin were measured. The correlat ion between visfatin levels and insulin resistance in treated and non treated groups was investigated. Results: There was a significant increase in serum visfatin, insulin, glucose levels and HOMA-IR value (p<0.001for all) in high fat diet fed group in comparison with control group. However, all these values were significantly decrease (p<0.001for all) in HFD fed group treated with RSG in co mparison with Group II. There was a significant positive correlation between serum visfatin and HOMA-IR in group II (r=0.935; P<0.001) and group III (r=0.951; p<0.001). Conclusion: Rosiglitazone caused imp rovement of insulin sensitivity and decrease in the visfatin level in the HFD-fed treated rats. The decreased level of visfatin may be a consequent effect for the improvement of insulin resistance.