Effect of Pioglitazone and Levo-Carnitine on Plasma Glucose, Insulin Resistance and Serum Adiponectin in Type 2 Diabetic Mice

Background: To determine the effect of combined supplementation of pioglitazone and levo carnitine on plasma glucose, insulin resistance and serum adiponectin in T2DM mice. Methods: In this randomized controlled trial 40 healthy BALB/c mice were divided into four groups (n=10 each). Mice were fed high fat diet for two weeks followed by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin to induce T2DM. Group I served as diabetic control. Group II was administered pioglitazone. Group III received levo carnitine and group IV was supplemented combined pioglitazone and levo carnitine. After six days of supplementation, terminal intra-cardiac blood extraction was carried out and samples were analyzed for plasma glucose, insulin resistance and serum adiponectin levels. Results: Plasma glucose levels and insulin resistance significantly decreased in the combined supplementation group compared to the diabetic control. Serum adiponectin levels showed significant increase in combined supplemented group when compared with diabetic control and levo carnitine groups. The data also revealed a positive correlation between plasma glucose and insulin resistance and a negative correlation of these two parameters with serum adiponectin levels. Conclusions: The combined supplementation of pioglitazone and levo carnitine significantly improved glycemic control, insulin resistance and serum adiponectin vis-à-vis individual supplementation in type 2 diabetic mice.