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Published on: October 23, 2018
Metformin reduces lipid accumulation in HepG2 cells via downregulation of miR-33b
Mina Zare1, Ghodratollah Panahi2, Mehdi Koushki2
1Biochemistry Department, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
Introduction:
Here, we aimed to investigate whether the beneficial effects of metformin on lipid accumulation is mediated through regulation of miR-33b.
Methods:
The expression of the genes and miRNAs and protein levels were evaluated using real-time PCR and western blot, respectively. To investigate the potential role of miR-33b in lipid accumulation, the mimic of the miR-33b was transfected into HepG2 cells.
Results:
We found that metformin reduces high glucose-induced lipid accumulation in HepG2 cells through inhibiting of SREBP1c and FAS and increasing the expression of CPT1 and CROT. Overexpression of miR-33b significantly prevented the decreasing effect of metformin on lipid content and intra and extra triglyceride levels. Importantly, miR-33b mimic inhibited the increasing effects of metformin on the expression of CPT1 and CROT.
Conclusion:
These findings suggest that metformin attenuates high glucose-induced lipid accumulation in HepG2 cell by downregulating the expression of miR-33b.
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