Thiamine reduced metabolic syndrome symptoms in rats via down-regulation of hepatic nuclear factor-kβ and induction activity of glyoxalase-I

Objective(s): Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a cause of death worldwide. The hepatic nuclear factor NF-kβ (NF-kβ) is the cardinal player of hepatic homeostasis, insulin sensitivity, and lipid metabolism. Thus, we investigated the effect of thiamine on hepatic gene expression of NF-kβ and its levels of activators in MS rats. Materials and Methods: Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 equal groups (ten rats in each group): normal, MS, and two alike groups under thiamine treatment. MS was induced in rats with a high sucrose solution (40 % in drinking water) for 4 months. Treated groups of rats received 0.18 % of thiamine daily in drinking water. HematoxylinEosin stains were employed to determine the histopathological changes of the liver. Metabolic profile, glycation products, oxidative stress, inflammatory markers, the activity of glyoxalaseI, as well as NF-kβ hepatic expression of all rat groups, were determined.Results: Acute hepatitis was not observed in the livers of the thiamine treated MS rats. Besides, the treatment showed an advantageous effect on glucose, lipid metabolism, and body weight via downregulation of hepatic NF-kβ and induction of glyoxalase system activity. Furthermore, the treatment decreased diverse glycation, oxidative stress, and inflammatory markers (P 0.001). Conclusion: Thiamine decreased body weight and improved metabolism and activity of glyoxalaseI in MS rats with antiglycation, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities. Further, the treatment had a hepatoprotective effect via reduction of NF-kβ signaling.