High glucose concentrations are involved in the development of diabetic-associated vascular complications. We have previously reported that acute high glucose challenge, corresponding to post-prandial glycemia levels observed in patients with type 2 diabetes, blunts ACh-induced endothelium-dependent relaxation of the renal circulation of non-diabetic rabbits. Isolated perfused kidneys from non-diabetic rabbits were acutely exposed (3 h) to normal (5.5 mM--control group) or high (15 mM) D-glucose concentrations in the presence or absence of a continuous infusion of metformin (20 or 100 microM). Renal vascular reactivity was evaluated with endothelium-dependent (acetylcholine, ACh) and -independent (sodium nitroprusside, SNP) vasodilating agents. ACh-induced maximal renal vasodilation was reduced by high glucose infusion (15 mM) in comparison to the control group (25+/-3% and 41+/-3% respectively; P<0.01), being restored to 41+/-4% and 43+/-2% by a simultaneous 3-h infusion of 20 or 100 microM of metformin respectively (P>0.05). Perfusion of the kidneys with the angiotensin II-converting enzyme inhibitor captopril (10 microM) also significantly prevented the deleterious effects of high glucose challenge in the renal circulation. The use of a continuous infusion of N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 100 microM) did not affect the protective effect of metformin in the renal circulation (39+/-4%; P>0.05), while tetraethylammonium (TEA, 10 mM) partially blunted this effect (33+/-4, P<0.01). Renal vasodilation induced by SNP was not modified by simultaneous infusion of high glucose and/or metformin. It is concluded that the impairment of ACh-induced endothelium-dependent renal vasodilation observed after acute exposure to high glucose concentrations is abolished by metformin administration. These alterations of renal vascular reactivity can be accounted for, at least in part, by the activation of the renal renin-angiotensin system during hyperglycemia. The protective effects of metformin present some EDHF-dependent component and are not related to metabolic pathways dependent on nitric oxide.