Metformin is a medication commonly used to control blood sugar levels in people with diabetes.
However, recent research from the University of Utah Health has uncovered an exciting new role for this drug – it helps keep muscles strong, especially in older adults.
This discovery could have significant implications for speeding up recovery from injuries and illnesses in the elderly population.
How Metformin Benefits Muscles
You might wonder how a medication primarily designed for diabetes can be beneficial for muscles. The answer lies in understanding what happens at the cellular level.
The research, led by Dr. Micah Drummond, focuses on a type of cell known as “senescent cells,” often referred to as “zombie-like cells” by scientists.
These cells are troublemakers because they cause inflammation, which can lead to muscle tissue hardening or scarring, ultimately weakening muscles over time. Metformin steps in by controlling these problematic cells, reducing muscle weakening.
The researchers are particularly excited to explore whether Metformin can help older adults recover more quickly from procedures like knee surgeries, which often involve lengthy recovery periods.
Age-Related Muscle Weakness
As we age, the weakening of muscles becomes a significant health concern. It increases the risk of falls, illnesses, and long-term health issues.
Senescent cells have a dual role: they are crucial for younger individuals during the healing process following an injury, but as we grow older, these cells can start causing problems.
Aging bodies struggle to manage these cells, resulting in slower recovery from injuries and other muscle-related problems.
Metformin’s ability to control these cells could be the key to quicker and more effective recovery in older adults.
Real-World Testing and Results
To understand how Metformin performs in real-life scenarios, the research involved 20 healthy older adults over several weeks.
Before the study began, each participant underwent a muscle biopsy and MRI scan. They were then divided into two groups: one group took Metformin, and the other took a placebo (a pill with no medication).
Both groups spent five days on bed rest, a situation known to weaken muscles. Afterward, they underwent another round of muscle biopsies and MRI scans.
After seven days of returning to normal activity, the participants had a final muscle biopsy.
The results were encouraging. Those who took Metformin experienced less muscle weakening during the bed rest period and less muscle hardening during recovery. Additionally, their muscle tissues showed fewer signs of troublesome senescent cells.
Jonathan Petrocelli, the lead author of the study, emphasized that this research is the first to directly connect Metformin to improved muscle recovery in older adults.
The team’s goal is to help older individuals maintain muscle strength, which is crucial for overall health. They are now exploring whether combining Metformin with an amino acid called leucine can further accelerate recovery, with promising early results from animal studies.
Dr. Micah Drummond highlighted the potential benefits of using Metformin for muscle recovery in older individuals, noting that it is affordable, effective, and generally safe.
This study’s findings, published in the journal Aging Cell, open up new possibilities for enhancing the health and recovery of older adults.
If you care about muscle health, please read studies about Muscle supplement could help battle Alzheimer’s and findings of All resistance training build strength and muscle.
For more information about diabetes, please see recent studies about How low-glycemic foods help control diabetes and results showing that Vegan diet linked to weight loss and lower diabetes risk.
Follow us on Twitter for more articles about this topic.
Copyright © 2023 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
