FIG. 5.

Metformin (Met) improves cardiac function and survival rate in an AMPK-dependent manner. A: AMPK expression and activity in cardiac tissues from the animals were detected as described in research design and methods. ♣P < 0.05 vs. WT STZ control (Con), †P < 0.05 vs. WT STZ Met (n = 5–6 in each group). B: Langendorff perfusion analysis of the relationship between LV-developed pressure and volume in WT STZ, DN STZ, WT STZ Met, and DN STZ Met mice 6 months after induction of diabetes. ♣P < 0.05, WT STZ Met vs. WT STZ, DN STZ Met, or DN STZ; †P < 0.05 DN STZ vs. WT STZ (n = 4–5 in each group). C: Survival plots for WT STZ, DN STZ, WT STZ Met, and DN STZ Met animals (n = 14–16 in each group).