Effect of combinations of aspirin and metformin therapy on liver function tests and inflammatory mediators in experimental diabetic rats

ABSTRACT

Individuals with diabetes have a higher incidence of liver function tests abnormalities than normal individuals. There is a strong relationship between inflammatory markers and metabolic disturbances in diabetes. The aim of the present work was to study the effect of adding aspirin as an anti-inflammatory drug to oral hypoglycemic agent metformin on blood glucose, liver function, lipid profile and inflammatory mediators in diabetic male albino rats. 120 Adult male albino rats were divided into six equal groups control health, control diabetic, diabetic rats treated with insulin, diabetic rats treated with metformin, diabetic rats treated with aspirin and diabetic rats treated with metformin and aspirin. Blood was obtained to assess serum glucose level, liver function tests, lipid profiles and the inflammatory mediators interlukin-6 [IL-6]. The group treated with metformin plus aspirin has a higher controlling effect on total cholesterol, triglyceride, low and high density lipoproteins and IL-6 levels than other groups. The group treated with insulin has a better controlling effect on liver function tests than other groups. Combination of aspirin and metformin has better controlling effect on lipid profile and inflammatory mediators than metformin alone