ABSTRACT
Aim To investigate the molecular mechanism of metformin inhibiting atherosclerosis in ApoE 1_ mice by reverse cholesterol transport. Methods Eighteen ApoE -/ _ mice were randomly divided into three groups, control group, model group and metformin group, and body weight changes were monitored weekly. Blood samples were taken to measure serum lipid levels; animal ultrasound was used to measure abdominal aortic wall thickness; HE and oil red 0 staining were used to evaluate the degree of liver steatosis; Western blot was used to detect the expression of liver cholesterol reverse transport-related proteins LXRa and ABCA1. Results Compared with control group, the body weight, serum T C, T G, and LDL in model group increased, HDL decreased(P <0. 05), abdominal aortic wall thickened (P <0. 05), liver fat deposition increased, and L X R a, ABCA1 expression was reduced. In metformin group, body weight, serum T C, T G, LDL decreased, HDL increased (P <0. 05), liver fat deposition and abdominal aortic wall thickness were significandy reduced (P <0. 05), and LXRa and ABCA1 expressions markedly increased (P <0. 0 5). Conclusions Metformin can delay the progression of atherosclerosis by up-regulating the expression of liver cholesterol reverse transport related proteins LXRa and ABCA1, enhancing liver reverse cholesterol transport, regulating blood lipid metabolism and reducing liver lipid deposition.