Effects of visfatin gene overexpression on insulin sensitivity in the insulin-resistant rats induced by high-fat diet

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of visfatin gene overexpression on insulin sensitivity in insulin-resistant (IR) rats induced by high-fat diet. METHODS: The recombinant visfatin plasmid was constructed and transfected into IR rats induced by high-fat diet. The euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp experiments were performed for evaluation the change of insulin sensitivity before and after administration. RESULTS: The expression plasmid of visfatin were successfully constructed. After 3 days for plasmid injecting, plasma visfatin levels and glucose infusion rates were significantly increased (2.19 +/- 0.36 vs 0.98 +/- 0.27 and 32.6 +/- 1.2 vs 24.0 +/- 1.2 mg x kg(-1) x min(-1), respectively, all P < 0.01), and total cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were significantly decreased (2.36 +/- 0.22 vs 1.60 +/- 0.21 mmol/L and 1.41 +/- 0.24 vs 0.88 +/- 0.11 mmol/L, respectively, all P < 0.05) in high-fat diet rats. CONCLUSION: The transfection of visfatin plasmid enhanced plasma visfatin level and improved insulin sensitivity in IR rats induced by high-fat diet.