Effect of insulin and metformin on methylation and glycolipid metabolism of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1A of rat offspring with gestational diabetes mellitus

ABSTRACT

Objective: To discuss the effect of insulin and metformin on a methylation and glycolipid metabolism of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1A (PPARGC1A) of rat offspring with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Methods: A total of 45 pregnant rats received the intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin to establish the pregnant rat model of GDM. A total of 21 pregnant rats with GDM were randomly divided into three groups, with 7 rats in each group, namely the insulin group, metformin group and control group. Rats in the insulin group received the abdominal subcutaneous injection of 1 mL/kg recombinant insulin glargine at 1800 every day. Rats in the metformin group received the intragastric infusion of metformin hydrochloride at 1800 every day, with the first dose of 300 mg/kg. The doses of two groups were adjusted every 3 d to maintain the blood glucose level at 2.65-7.62 mmol/L. Rats in the control group received the intragastric infusion of 1 mL normal saline at 1800 every day. After the natural delivery of pregnant rats, 10 offspring rats were randomly selected from each group. At birth, 4 wk and 8 wk after the birth of offspring rats, the weight of offspring rats was measured. The blood glucose level of offspring rats was measured at 4 wk and 8 wk, while the level of serum insulin, triglyceride and leptin was measured at 8 wk. Results: The weight of offspring rats at birth in the insulin group and metformin group was significantly lower than the one in the control group (P 0.05). The fasting blood glucose and random blood glucose in the insulin group and metformin group at 4 wk and 8 wk were all significantly lower than ones in the control group (P 0.05). The expression of PPARGC1A mRNA in the insulin group and metformin group was significantly higher and the methylation level of PPARGC1A was significantly lower than the one in the control group (P 0.05). Insulin and leptin at 8 wk in the insulin group and metformin group were significantly higher, while triglyceride was significantly lower than the one in the control group (P 0.05). Conclusions: GDM can induce the methylation of PPARGC1A of offspring rats to reduce the expression of PPARGC1A mRNA and then cause the disorder of glycolipid metabolism when the offspring rats grow up; the insulin or metformin in the treatment of pregnant rats with GDM can reduce the methylation level of PPARGC1A and thus improve the abnormal glycolipid metabolism of offspring rats.