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. Hematoxylin-Eosin stains were employed to determine the histopathological changes of the liver. Metabolic profile, glycation products, oxidative stress, inflammatory markers, the activity of glyoxalase-I, 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 down-regulation 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 glyoxalase-I in MS rats with anti-glycation, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities. Further, the treatment had a hepato-protective effect via reduction of NF-kβ signaling.