Effects of Metformin on Cognitive Dysfunction and PI3K/Akt Pathway in Alzheimer's Disease Rats

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of metformin (Met) on the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) pathway and cognitive dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease (AD) rats.MethodsFifty Sprague Dawley rats were selected and divided into the following groups: normal, AD model (AD group), Met low (50 mg/kg), Met medium (100 mg/kg) and Met high (200 mg/kg) according to the random number table method. Each group included 10 rats. With the exception of the normal group, AD models were established by injecting 10 μL streptozotocin (STZ, 3 mg/kg) into the bilateral ventricles. After the model was successfully established, Met at the corresponding dose was administered by gavage. The normal and AD groups were administered the same amount of normal saline by gavage. The medicine was administered once a dayfor 14 days. After the last administration, the Morris water maze test was used to detect the spatial cognitive function of rats. The rats were sacrificed, and the hippocampal tissues were collected.