OBJECTIVETo observe the protective effect of metformin on the endothelial function and the mechanisms in rats with low-density lipoprotein (LDL) injection.

METHODSA single dose (4 mg/kg) of natural LDL was injected through the sublingual vein of rats to induce vascular endothelial dysfunction. Blood samples were then collected from the rats to detect the concentrations of malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO), activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and serum lipid levels. The thoracic aorta of rats was obtained to assay acetylcholine (ACh)-induced endothelium-dependent relaxation (EDR) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP)-induced endothelium-independent relaxation. The effects of metformin pretreatment on the endothelial functions in the rats were investigated.

RESULTSA single-dose LDL significantly inhibited ACh-induced EDR without affecting SNP-induced endothelial-independent relaxation. The injection decreased serum NO and elevated serum MDA level, but had no effect on serum lipid level. Metformin markedly attenuated LDL-induced inhibition of EDR, serum MDA elevation, and serum NO reduction without affecting the serum lipid levels.

CONCLUSIONMetformin provides protection against vascular endothelial dysfunction induced by LDL in rats, the mechanism of which is probably associated with protection of endothelium-dependent relaxation factor and inhibition of the oxidative stress.