The objective of the present investigation was to study the ameliorative effects of Metformin and Pioglitazone cardiovascular complications associated with type-2 diabetes mellitus. Fructose-fed (66 % solution, p.o.) diabetic rats were used as model of metabolic syndrome. Metformin (350 mg/kg, p.o.) and Pioglitazone (10 mg/kg, p.o.) were administered for a period of 6 weeks after induction of diabetes in fructose treated rats. The effects of drugs were examined on body weight, food and intake, serum glucose, triglyceride, cholesterol, insulin and blood pressure. The blood pressure was determined by invasive method and vascular reactivity was tested with Adrenaline, Noradrenaline and Phenylephrine at the end of the study. Acetylcholine-induced vasorelaxation was determined on isolated rat aortas and carotid wall thickness was measured. Results of the present study showed that body weight, serum glucose, triglyceride, cholesterol, insulin and blood pressure were increased in fructose fed rats. Long term treatment with Metformin and Pioglitazone significantly decreased weight gain, serum glucose, triglyceride, cholesterol and insulin levels in fructose fed rats. The treatments also significantly reduced elevated blood pressure and carotid artery wall thickness in fed hypertensive rats. Moreover the vascular reactivity to catecholamine’s and the endothelial functions were also normalized by the drugs. Taken together, Metformin and Pioglitazone both have cardiovascular protective effects in fructose-metabolic syndrome in rats. But comparatively Pioglitazone has better ameliorating potential than Metformin.
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