Metformin reduces lipid accumulation in HepG2 cells via downregulation of miR-33b.

Introduction: Here, we aimed to investigate whether the beneficial effects of metformin on lipid accumulation is mediated through regulation of miR-33b.Methods: The expression of the genes and miRNAs and protein levels were evaluated using real-time PCR and western blot, respectively. To investigate the potential role of miR-33b in lipid accumulation, the mimic of the miR-33b was transfected into HepG2 cells.Results: We found that metformin reduces high glucose-induced lipid accumulation in HepG2 cells through inhibiting of SREBP1c and FAS and increasing the expression of CPT1 and CROT. Overexpression of miR-33b significantly prevented the decreasing effect of metformin on lipid content and intra and extra triglyceride levels. Importantly, miR-33b mimic inhibited the increasing effects of metformin on the expression of CPT1 and CROT.Conclusion: These findings suggest that metformin attenuates high glucose-induced lipid accumulation in HepG2 cell by downregulating the expression of miR-33b.