Metformin ameliorates valve interstitial cell calcification by promoting autophagic flux.

ABSTRACT: Calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) is the most common heart disease of the developed world. It has previously been established that metformin administration reduces arterial calcification via autophagy; however, whether metformin directly regulates CAVD has yet to be elucidated. In the present study we investigated whether metformin alleviates valvular calcification through the autophagy-mediated recycling of Runx2. Calcification was reduced in rat valve interstitial cells (RVICs) by metformin treatment (0.5-1.5 mM) (P < 0.01), with a marked decrease in Runx2 protein expression compared to control cells (P < 0.05). Additionally, upregulated expression of Atg3 and Atg7 (key proteins required for autophagosome formation), was observed following metformin treatment (1 mM). Blocking autophag

SUBMITTER: Phadwal K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10698150 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature