Figure 2.

Hepatic effects of metformin and caloric restriction on ob/ob mice. Serum chemistry values (A-C), as well as TG contents and hepatic histology (D-F), were evaluated after 4 wk of metformin administration or CR. Levels of T-CHO, as well as GOT1 and GPT activity, were significantly decreased in ob/ob mice treated with metformin or CR compared to ad libitum-fed ob/ob mice (A-C). Mice treated with either metformin or CR also showed a significant decrease both in liver weights adjusted by body weights (D) and also in hepatic fat accumulation (E) compared to ad libitum-fed ob/ob mice. Staining of liver sections with H&E (× 40) revealed extensive macrovesicular steatosis around the perisinusoidal area in ad libitum-fed ob/ob mice (F). Values displayed are means ± SEM of 8 mice per group. Asterisks (*P < 0.05,**P < 0.01,***P < 0.001) indicate significant differences compared to ad libitum-fed ob/ob mice.