The Effects of Metformin Treatment on Diabetic Albino Rats' Pancreas, Liver, and Kidney Histology

Metformin, an oral hypoglycemic drug, has traditionally been considered the standard therapy for hyperglycemia. Metformin's several modes of action include inhibition of hepatic gluconeogenesis, anti-glucagon activity, and insulin-sensitizing effect. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of Metformin on the liver, pancreatic, and kidney tissues of alloxan-induced diabetic albino rats. Twenty mature albino white male rats were allocated at random into two groups. Intraperitoneal injections of alloxan monohydrate were utilised to induce diabetic Mellitus type II in the first ten rats. The second group of rats were injected intraperitoneally with normal saline. Both groups were then separated into four subgroups: Group 1 consisted of non-diabetic rats that were only administered distilled water (control), Group 2 consisted of non-diabetic rats that were administered metformin at a dose of 1000 mg/kg/day, and Group 3 consisted of diabetic control animals that were administered alloxan intravenously and distilled water orally, but were not given any medications. After seven days of DM induction, diabetic rats were administered Metformin at a dose of 1000 mg/kg/day orally. After one month of therapy, the animals were slaughtered and their organs were harvested. Compared to the control group, the histological results of pancreatic tissue were normal in the treatment groups. In contrast, liver and kidney sections from non-diabetic control, non-diabetic, and diabetic animals given 1000 mg/kg/day of Metformin had normal histology. Still, both tissues of untreated diabetic control mice exhibited lymphocyte infiltration. Metformin has been found to have significant blood glucose lowering properties and the capacity to protect several organs from the negative consequences of diabetes.

The effects of melatonin and metformin on histological characteristics of the ovary and uterus in letrozole-induced polycystic ovarian syndrome mice: A stereological study

Background

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) with anovulation, hyperandrogenism, ovarian and uterine histological changes, menstrual irregularities, etc. signs is an infertility type. It seems that melatonin and metformin can improve these abnormalities.

Objective

To evaluate the effects of melatonin and metformin on the ovary and uterus in PCOS-induced mice using stereological methods.

Materials and Methods

Seventy-two adult female BALB/c mice (8-wk-old, 20-30 gr) were randomly divided into control (distilled water, gavage), PCOS (90 µg/kg letrozole, gavage), PCOS+metformin (500 mg/kg, gavage), PCOS+melatonin (10 mg/kg, intraperitoneal injection), and PCOS+melatonin control (0.5% ethanol saline) groups (n = 12/each). Another PCOS group was kept for a month to ensure that PCOS features remained. Finally, a stereological evaluation of the uterus and ovary was carried out, and vaginal cytology and serum testosterone levels were assessed.

Results

PCOS mice treated with metformin and melatonin had lower testosterone levels, body weight, and more regular estrus cycles than the PCOS group (p ≤ 0.001). A significant decrease in conglomerate and daughter gland numbers, and primary, secondary, atretic, and cystic follicles numbers with a significant increase in primordial and Graafian follicles, and corpus luteum numbers (p ≤ 0.001) was seen in these treated mice. Also, endometrial vessels' volume and length significantly increased, but ovarian, endometrial, myometrial, stromal, and glands volume, and endometrial and myometrial thickness dramatically declined (p ≤ 0.001).

Conclusion

It appears that metformin and melatonin could restore the PCOS phenotype including estrus cycle irregularity, high testosterone level, and ovarian and uterine micromorphology to the control levels. However, the 2 treatments had similar effects on the examined parameters.

Effect of silymarin and metformin on the sperm parameters and histopathological changes of testes in diabetic rats: An experimental study

BACKGROUND

Oxidative stress is a major contributor to diabetes, which can lead to testicular damage and infertility.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to compare the effects of metformin as a chemical drug with silymarin as an herbal agent on the sperm parameters and histopathological changes of testes in diabetic rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty-two male Wistar rats (250-270 gr) were randomly divided into four groups: 1) control; 2) diabetic; 3) diabetic+metformin 200 mg/kg; and 4) diabetic+silymarin 100 mg/kg. Daily injections were administered intraperitoneally for 56 days. At the end of the treatment, blood sampling was performed for biochemical assessment. Then, the rats were sacrificed and their left testis and epididymis were cut for sperm analysis as well as histopathology and morphometric evaluation.

RESULTS

Diabetes was associated with a reduced sperm count, motility, viability, maturity, and chromatin quality of sperm (p ≤ 0.001). It was also associated with a higher malondialdehide level and lower total antioxidant capacity level of serum in comparison with the control group (p ≤ 0.001). There was a significant difference in the seminiferous tubule diameter, germinal epithelium height, and testicular histopathological alterations in the diabetic rats compared with the control rats (p ≤ 0.001). Treatment with metformin and silymarin improved the above-mentioned parameters and this improvement was more substantial in silymarin-treated animals (p ≤ 0.001).

CONCLUSION

In diabetic rats, metformin and silymarin improved sperm parameters, sperm DNA integrity, seminiferous tubule diameter, germinal epithelium thickness, and testicular histopathological complications; this improvement was more substantial in the silymarin-treated group. So, the findings of this study suggest that silymarin is more effective than metformin in treating diabetic-induced infertility.

The effects of gallic acid and metformin on male reproductive dysfunction in diabetic mice induced by methylglyoxal: An experimental study

BACKGROUND

Diabetes mellitus is a disease that has reached a dangerous point. Today, nearly 500 million men and women around the world live with diabetes. Gallic acid (Gal) affects diabetes.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effects of Gal and metformin (met) on the levels of glucose, insulin, testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), sperm count, antioxidant status, and histological changes in the testes of diabetic mice induced by methylglyoxal (MGO).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this experimental study, 50 male adult NMRI mice, weighting 25-30 gr, aged 3-4 months were randomly divided into five equal groups (n = 10/each). (i) Control (vehicle, normal saline), (ii) MGO (600 mg/kg/d) orally for 28 days, (iii) Gal (50 mg/kg/d), (iv) MGO+Gal, and (v) MGO+met (200 mg/kg/d). Gal and met were administered orally for 21 consecutive days after the induction of diabetes. Blood samples were taken at 24 hr after the latest doses of treatment. Histological assessment of the testis was done, and the epididymis sperm count was obtained. Antioxidant indices, glucose, insulin, LH, FSH, and testosterone levels were measured.

RESULTS

In the MGO group compared to the control group, insulin, glucose (p = 0.001), LH (p = 0.04) and malondialdehyde (p = 0.001) were increased. However, the level of testosterone (p = 0.001), seminiferous tubule diameters, epithelial height, sperm count, superoxide dismutase activity (p = 0.02), and testis volume (p = 0.01) were decreased. The results indicated that Gal and met ameliorated the MGO effects.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggested that the animals receiving MGO became diabetic. According to the results, Gal and met can effectively prevent MGO-induced diabetes. The effect of Gal was equivalent and sometimes better than metformin.

[Metformin and Diabetes: still has a sense of its use in patients CKD stage II or is an additional risk factor?]

Pz woman of 62 years comes to P.S.G. for fatigue, low-grade fever, diuresis present. A history of hypertension refers to therapy for about five years, diabetes mellitus for about two years in therapy with Metformin 1gr x 3 gg / day. Blood tests: BUN 195 mg / dL, creatinine 8.0 mg / dl, Ph 6877, HCO3 5.1 mmol / L BE -29.1 mmol / l. Rapid clinical deterioration with occurrence of arterial hypotension - 85/60 mmHg, stupor. Start therapy Bicarbonates ev, is positioned in Urgency CVC and it undergoes AFB with infusion of bicarbonates 2000 ml / h for 4 hours, blood flow rate 250 ml / min., the hemodynamics has been supported with dopamine infusion 200 mg: 2 vials in 250 cc of physiological vel 30 - 40 ml / h, The pc after undergoing three AFB, interrupted the dialysis for resumption of diuresis spontaneous and progressive improvement of renal function and blood pressure. Monitored, after discharge, the parameters of renal function decreased to within normal limits, clearance compatible with IRC II - III stage.

CONCLUSIONS

dehydration, fever, IRC II stadium, undiagnosed caused, in a very short time, an accumulation of metformin, which has been the cause of metabolic acidosis. The pc. saved thanks to the positioning of the CVC and to the AFB in the treatment with the infusion of large quantities of Bicarbonates e.v. The use of metformin in pcs. > 50 years and / or creatinine clearance <60 ml / min., must be subordinated to the preliminary study and periodic renal function.