Publication:

Comparison of the efficacy of sitagliptin with pioglitazone on dexamethasone-induced hepatic steatosis, dyslipidemia, and hyperglycemia in albino rats

Background Sitagliptin is a dipeptidyl peptidase type 4 inhibitor. This study was done to assess the insulin-sensitizing effect of sitagliptin on Wistar albino rats by means of surrogate measures.

Methods There were four groups of six rats each. First group received dexamethasone alone in a dose of 8 mg/kg intraperitoneally for 6 days to induce metabolic changes and considered as dexamethasone control. Second group received sitagliptin 100 mg/kg orally 6 days before dexamethasone and 6 days during dexamethasone administration. Third group received pioglitazone 45 mg/kg orally 6 days before dexamethasone and 6 days during dexamethasone administration. Fourth group did not receive any medication and was considered as normal control. Fasting blood sugar, lipid profile, blood sugar 2 hrs after glucose load (postprandial blood sugar), liver weight, liver volume, and histopathological analysis were done.

Results The effects of sitagliptin were compared with that of pioglitazone. Dexamethasone caused hepatomegaly, dyslipidemia, and hyperglycemia. Both pioglitazone and sitagliptin significantly reduced hepatomegaly, dyslipidemia, and hyperglycemia (p<0.01). Reduction of blood sugar levels after glucose load was significant with pioglitazone in comparison to sitagliptin (p<0.01).

Conclusions Sitagliptin has comparable efficacy to pioglitazone in dexamethasone-induced hepatomegaly, dyslipidemia, and fasting hyperglycemia.