The effects of metformin on inflammation and apoptosis in rats with preeclampsia

Background: Defined clinically by elevated blood pressure along with either proteinuria and/or maternal organ dysfunction, representing a major cause of morbidity and mortality pregnant women and newborns. Metformin (MET), an oral antidiabetic medication, has been shown to prevent preeclampsia (PE) through various mechanisms, including reducing inflammation, improving endothelial dysfunction, improving mitochondrial function, and altering cellular homeostasis and energy metabolism. Herein, we explored the role of MET in PE and its underlying molecular mechanisms using in in vivo experiments. Methods: RT-qPCR, Western blot (WB), and immunohistochemistry (IHC) were conducted to assess the mRNA or protein expression of genes related to mitochondrial apoptosis. Additionally, ELISA was conducted to quantify the expression of mitochondrial apoptosis and inflammation-related genes, as well as PE biomarkers. Results: Treatment with MET in PE rats ameliorated hypertension and proteinuria, altered the expression of PE biomarkers, and significantly inhibited L-NAME-induced inflammation and cell apoptosis. MET modulated the levels of inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-10, mitigating inflammation in PE rats. Furthermore, MET regulated mitochondrial outer membrane permeability (MOMP), thereby reducing cell apoptosis occurring in the mitochondrial pathway of PE rats. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that MET alleviates inflammation and cell apoptosis in PE rats by modulating the expression of inflammatory factors and MOMP. Our results indicate that MET has huge therapeutic potential against PE.