Metabolic syndrome is characterized by
insulin resistance,
dyslipidemia and
hypertension. These metabolic changes contribute to the development of
obesity-induced kidney injury.
AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a ubiquitous
enzyme that is involved in the cellular metabolic response to metabolic stress.
Metformin, an AMPK activator, has been reported to exert a protective effect against non-
alcoholic steatohepatitis. However, little is known about its role in the pathogenesis of
obesity-induced renal injury. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of
metformin on high-fat diet (HFD)-induced kidney injury.
Obesity was induced by HFD (60% of total calories from fat, 20%
protein and 20%
carbohydrates) in 6-week-old C57BL/6 mice. Mice were fed HFD plus 0.5%
metformin. The effects of
metformin on HFD-induced renal injury were evaluated by determining metabolic parameters, serum
adipokine levels and renal AMPK/
acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) activities, as well as a histological examination. HFD induced metabolic derangement, systemic
insulin resistance and glomerular mesangial matrix expansion. The administration of
metformin reduced HFD-induced metabolic derangement and renal injury. The administration of
metformin reduced the HFD-induced increase in
adipokine expression and macrophage infiltration. Moreover, renal AMPK activity, which was decreased by HFD, was recovered following the administration of
metformin; in addition,
fatty acid oxidation was increased by the inhibition of ACC. These results indicate that
metformin exerts beneficial effects on
obesity-induced renal injury by regulating systemic
inflammation,
insulin resistance and the renal AMPK/ACC pathway. The clinical application of
metformin to obese or early diabetic patients may be helpful in preventing
obesity- or diabetes-related
kidney disease.