Effects of Liuweidihuang pills on plasma adiponectin level in OLETF rats

Objective To study the effects of Liuweidihuang (LWDH) pills on plasma adiponectin level in Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) rats. Methods Forty male OLETF rats were randomized into LWDH and control OLETF groups (n=20),and 10 male Long-Evans Tokushima Otsuka (LETO) rats served as the normal control group (LETO group). The rats in LWDH group were given LWDH pills (daily dose of 2.4 mg/kg) intragastrically since the age of 8 weeks,and the two control groups received water only. Regular blood glucose test was performed using oral glucose tolerance test,and the body weight and food intake of the rats were recorded on a weekly basis. At 8,32 and 40 weeks of age,respectively,the rats were sacrificed for measurement of plasma adiponectin and plasma insulin. Results The food intake of the OLETF rats in both groups were significantly greater than the LETO rats (P0.01). The rats in LWDH group developed diabetes since 30 weeks of age with an incidence of 28.6% at 40 weeks,which was significantly lower than that in the control OLETF rats (P0.01). Conclusion Plasma adiponectin level is positively correlated to insulin sensitivity in OLETF rats,in which LWDH pills can increase the plasma level of adiponectin and improve the status of insulin resistance.