Abstract: Objective To investigate the effect of Exenatide (Ex), a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor, on cardiovascular function in diabetic rats, and to provide the theoretical foundation for the clinical therapy. Methods A completely randomized design with four treatments was employed in this study. Thirty four Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups, including control (C, n=7); diabetic model (DM, n=9,); low dose of Ex intake (Emin, n=9);. high dose of Ex intake (Emax, n=9). The level of fasting plasma glucose was determined. Ejection fraction (EF) and the fractional shortening (FS) of the left ventriculus of the rats were determined by using ultrasound for small animals. The blood velocity of abdominal aortic flow (AF) was measured. The injuries in the endangium of thoracic aorta were inspected by using the thoracic scanning electron microscope. Results The level of fasting plasma glucose was significantly higher (P<0.01) in rats from DM group than from control group. The rats in exenatide treatment group had a lower level of fasting plasma glucose than those in DM group (P <0.05). The rats of DM group had a more striking dysfunction either in ejection fraction or fractional shortening compared with control group (P <0.01), and attenuated levels than exenatide treatment group (P <0.05). In addition, the blood velocity of abdominal aortic flow in rats from DM group was obviously slower in control group (P <0.01), and vascular intimals of rats from former group were tremendously damaged. The blood velocity of abdominal aortic flow in rats from exenatide treatment group was much faster than DM group, the level of vascular intimal injury was alleviated. Conclusion In addition to reducing the level of glucose, exenatide can also ameliorate cardiovascular dysfunction in diabetic rats.

Key words: Key Words: Exenatide, diabetes mellitus, rats, cardiovascular function