The study aimed to investigate the intervening role of Didang decoction(DDD) at different times in macrovascular endothelial defense function, focusing on its effects on the AMP-activated protein kinase(AMPK) signaling pathway. The effects of DDD on mitochondrial energy metabolism were also investigated in rat aortic endothelial cells(RAECs). Type 2 diabetes were induced in rats by streptozotocin(STZ) combined with high fat diet. Rats were randomly divided into non-intervention group, metformin group, simvastatin group, and early-, middle-, late-stage DDD groups. Normal rats were used as control. All the rats received 12 weeks of intervention or control treatment. Western blots were used to detect the expression of AMP-activated protein kinase α1(AMPKα1) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor 1α(PGC-1α). Changes in the intracellular AMP and ATP levels were detected with ELISA. Real-time-PCR was used to detect the m RNA level of caspase-3, endothelial nitric oxide synthase(eNOS), and Bcl-2. Compared to the diabetic non-intervention group, a significant increase in the expression of AMPKα1 and PGC-1α were observed in the early-stage, middle-stage DDD groups and simvastatin group(P< 0.05). The levels of Bcl-2, eNOS, and ATP were significantly increased(P<0.05), while the level of AMP and caspase-3 were decreased(P< 0.05) in the early-stage DDD group and simvastatin group. Early intervention with DDD enhances mitochondrial energy metabolism by regulating the AMPK signaling pathway and therefore may play a role in strengthening the defense function of large vascular endothelial cells and postpone the development of macrovascular diseases in diabetes.
