Cardiovascular protective effects of metformin

Metformin belongs to biguanide drugs,used as oral hypoglycemic agents in type 2 diabetes(T2DM) for 50 years,and its anti-hyperglycemic effect has been recognized.Furthermore,in recent years more and more studies found that metformin has additional cardiovascular protective effects,including the inhibition of atherosclerosis(AS),heart failure and myocardial infarction.However,the specific effect of metformin on cardiovascular protection is still unclear.This article reviews the effect of metformin in cardiovascular disease and discusses its possible mechanisms.