Metformin Uniquely Prevents Thrombosis by Inhibiting Platelet Activation and mtDNA Release.

ABSTRACT: Thrombosis and its complications are the leading cause of death in patients with diabetes. Metformin, a first-line therapy for type 2 diabetes, is the only drug demonstrated to reduce cardiovascular complications in diabetic patients. However, whether metformin can effectively prevent thrombosis and its potential mechanism of action is unknown. Here we show, metformin prevents both venous and arterial thrombosis with no significant prolonged bleeding time by inhibiting platelet activation and extracellular mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) release. Specifically, metformin inhibits mitochondrial complex I and thereby protects mitochondrial function, reduces activated platelet-induced mitochondrial hyperpolarization, reactive oxygen species overload and associated membrane damage. In mitochondrial f

SUBMITTER: Xin G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5090250 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature