Effect of metformin administration and weight loss on plasma ceramide C16:0, C18:0, C24:1 concentrations in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease associated with insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes

• Main Author: L.L. Pavlovskyi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Publishing House Zaslavsky 2020-03-01
• Series: Gastroenterologìa
• Subjects: non-alcoholic fatty liver disease; insulin resistance; type 2 diabetes; ceramides
• Online Access: http://gastro.zaslavsky.com.ua/article/view/206227

Background. Ceramides are the fats of the sphingolipid family that are involved in the development of insulin resistance, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and type 2 diabetes. Despite the standards of treatment for these diseases, there is currently a lack of information regarding their effect on the concentration of ceramides in blood plasma. In this regard, we investigated how metformin administration and weight loss affect the concentrations of ceramides C16:0, C18:0, C24:1 in these patients. The purpose was to study and compare the plasma concentrations of ceramides C16:0, C18:0, C24:1 in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease before and after treatment. Materials and methods. The study involved 50 patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, who were divided into two groups: 24 people with insulin resistance and 27 with type 2 diabetes. As a treatment for patients with insulin resistance, it was recommended to lose weight. Patients with type 2 diabetes received metformin at a dose of 500 mg 2 times a day. The control group consisted of 10 healthy individuals. Ceramides were determined by liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry (Shimadzu Nexera X2 UHPLC, Shimadzu LCMS-8045 mass spectrometer). Results. When evaluating the concentrations of ceramides C16:0, C18:0, C24: 1 in both groups, a significant increase was found compared to the control group (p < 0.001). After treatment, patients in both groups showed a significant decrease in ceramide concentration (p < 0.001). In addition, it was found that C16:0, C18:0, C24:1 ceramide fractions correlated with the main laboratory and instrumental parameters in both groups. Conclusions. In patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes, the concentration of C16:0, C18:0, C24:1 ceramides was increased. Against the background of appropriate treatment, ceramide level has decreased.