Metformin reduces plasma triglycerides in ob/ob obese mice via inhibiting the hepatic apoA5 expression / 中南大学学报(医学版)

ABSTRACT

Objective:To investigate the role of apolipoprotein A5 (apoA5) in the pathogenesis of obesityrelated hypertriglyceridemia and the related therapeutic effects of metformin.Methods:The ob/ob mice were treated with regular chow diet and metformin for 4 weeks,and the levels of hepatic triglyceride (TG) and apoA5 were measured.Hepatic IAR20 cells were treated with metformin and/or apoA5 siRNAs,and then cellular TG contents and apoA5 expression were determined.Results:High plasma and hepatic levels of apoA5 and TG were found in ob/ob mice.The plasma levels of apoA5 were positively correlated with plasma TG in these mice.Metformin could dosedependently decrease the plasma and hepatic levels of apoA5 and TG in ob/ob mice.Metformin could also dose-dependently reduce cellular TG contents and apoA5 expression,these effects were attenuated by knockdown of apoA5.Conclusion:Hepatic apoA5 is up-regulated in ob/ob mice,which contributes to the elevation of plasma TG.Metformin could inhibit hepatic apoA5 expression,leading to the reduction of the plasma level of TG.