Figure 4.

Metformin inhibits MMP-2 and MMP-9 mRNA expression. HUVECs were starved in serum-free medium overnight before metformin treatment. The cells were then incubated with metformin (0, 0.5, 1, 2 and 3 mM) or with metformin (3 mM) + compound C (10 μM) for 72 h. RNA was isolated and converted to cDNA. The expression of MMP-2 or MMP-9 mRNA was analyzed by real-time PCR. Data are expressed as the mean ± SD of five independent experiments. ^**P<0.001 and ^***P<0.001 vs. the control group (0 mg/kg metformin); ^aP<0.001 vs. DMSO (control); ^bP<0.01 vs. metformin 3 mM.