Effect of combination therapy of melatonin and orlistat on high fat diet induced changes in lipid profiles and liver function parameters in serum of rats

BackgroundObesity is a global health problem and also a strong risk factor for type 2 diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular (CV) diseases. High-fat diet (HFD) induced rats was proved to be a useful model for obesity in humans. Orlistat is a synthetic anti-obesity drug approved by European Medical Association (EMA). Some studies shown, orlistat supplementation caused liver and kidney damage. Melatonin, an indolamine, produced by the pineal gland in a circadian rhythm, and it is one of the most powerful antioxidants known. Studies shown, it also exerts control over metabolic functions that determine fat accumulation and obesity. To compensate orlistat induced side effects, the aim of this study was to determine the impact of melatonin and orlistat alone and the combination therapy of both on lipid profiles and liver function parameters in serum of HFD induced rats.Materials and methodsMale wistar rats (150–180 g) were divided into five groups with 6 animals each. Group 1 was maintained as control with normal diet. The other animals were fed with HFD (8 weeks). After 8 weeks, the animals were subdivided into following groups such as Group 2 (HFD control), Group 3 (HFD + Orlistat, 6 weeks), Group 4 (HFD + Melatonin, 6 weeks), Group 5 (HFD + Orlistat + Melatonin, 6 weeks). Blood samples were taken before and after administration of drugs for the measurement of lipid profiles and biochemical parameters.ResultsThe increased body weight along with increased glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, LDL, VLDL while decreased HDL was observed in HFD induced rats. The liver function parameters such as SGOT, SGPT, ALP and LDH were also altered. The melatonin and its combination with orlistat supplementation significantly restored all the parameters especially liver function parameters, when compared to orlistat alone. Melatonin had great effect in HFD induced changes than orlistat without affecting food intake.ConclusionsIn overall findings, melatonin alone and its combination therapy with orlistat prevents obesity and its harmful effects than Orlistat alone.