%0 Journal Article %T Atorvastatin improves insulin sensitivity in mice with obesity induced by monosodium glutamate %A Zhang Ning %A Huan Yi %A Huang Hui %A Song Guang-ming %A Sun Su-juan %A Shen Zhu-fang %J Acta Pharmacologica Sinica %D 2016 %B 2016 %9 %! Atorvastatin improves insulin sensitivity in mice with obesity induced by monosodium glutamate %K %X Aim: To examine the mechanisms underlying the effects of atorvastatin on glucose and lipid metabolism. Methods: Mice with insulin resistance and obesity induced by monosodium glutamate (MSG) were used. Atorvastatin (80 mg·kg -1 ·d -1 ) or vehicle control treatment was given orally once a day for 30 days. Plasma levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and free fatty acids were monitored. Serum insulin and glucose concentrations were used to calculate the insulin resistance index and insulin sensitivity index using a homeostasis model. Body length, waistline circumference, intraperitoneal adipose tissue mass, and total body mass were measured. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR and Western analysis were used to determine the expression of inflammatory factors and proteins involved in inflammation signaling pathways. Results: Atorvastatin improved insulin sensitivity, ameliorated glucose tolerance, and decreased plasma levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-C, HDL-C and free fatty acids. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR and Western analysis revealed increased expression of interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) in serum and adipose tissue in MSG obese mice. Atorvastatin treatment decreased expression of IL-6, TNF-α, nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) and I-kappa-B (IκB) kinase-β, but increased the expression of IκB, in adipose tissue. Conclusion: Atorvastatin is a potential candidate for the prevention and therapy of diseases associated with insulin resistance such as type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease. One possible mechanism underlying the effects of atorvastatin on glucose and lipid metabolism may be to ameliorate a state of chronic inflammation. %U http://www.chinaphar.com/article/view/4500 %V 31 %N 1 %P 35-42 %@ 1745-7254