Metformin Rescues the Myocardium from Doxorubicin-Induced Energy Starvation and Mitochondrial Damage in Rats

Figure 4

MET protects myocardium against DOX-induced ultrastructural deteriorations. Photos (i) A and B show normal ultrastructure of a normal control rat heart. Photos (ii) A and B are EM photo taken for a heart section from a rat treated with a total cumulative dose of 18 mg/kg DOX and show a prominent component of patchy myofibrillar loss and disarray, hypercontraction bands with prominent A band loss. They also show mitochondrial abnormalities, including enlargement and irregular contour. Photos (iii) A and B are photos of ultrastructure of rat heart treated with MET 50 mg/kg prior to a total cumulative dose of 18 mg/kg DOX and show mild improvement in the mitochondrial structure. Photos (iv) A and B are photos of ultrastructure of cardiac muscle derived from a rat treated with MET 500 mg/kg prior to a total cumulative dose of 18 mg/kg DOX, showing almost normal ultrastructure, size, and shape of the myocardial fibers. Magnification, low power in A; high power in B.