Effects of chronic benfluorex treatment on the activities of key enzymes of hepatic carbohydrate metabolism in old Sprague-Dawley rats

Chronic effects of benfluorex on some parameters of carbohydrate metabolism have been studied in 24-month-old Sprague-Dawley rats. Treatment once a day for 14 days with 25 mg benfluorex per kg body weight lowered body weight, decreased circulating insulin and resulted in an increase in hepatic glycogen. Measurement of the activities of several important regulatory enzymes of hepatic carbohydrate metabolism showed a significant decrease in the activities of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase and glycogen phosphorylase. The activity of glucose-6-phosphatase, on the other hand, was slightly increased. Taken collectively, our data offer an explanation for the observed inhibition of hepatic glucose production by chronic benfluorex treatment in cases of hyperinsulinemia.