Doctors have found an unexpected benefit of Metformin, a medication that has been used to treat diabetes for over 50 years.
Researchers from the University of Utah Health discovered that this drug doesn’t just control blood sugar; it also helps maintain muscle health, especially in older people.
This finding is significant because strong muscles help individuals recover faster from injuries or illnesses.
You might wonder how a diabetes drug can improve muscle health. The answer lies in Metformin’s effect on tiny components of our body, the cells. Scientists discovered that Metformin targets “zombie-like cells,” also known as senescent cells.
These cells can cause inflammation and lead to the hardening or scarring of tissues, which weakens muscles. Metformin helps control these troublesome cells, reducing muscle weakness.
Dr. Micah Drummond, who led the research team, is eager to see if this discovery can be applied in real-life situations. For example, could giving Metformin to older patients undergoing knee surgeries help their muscles recover faster?
As people age, they are more likely to experience falls, illnesses, or long-term conditions, and weaker muscles increase these risks. The research team aimed to find a treatment that could improve muscle health and recovery.
While senescent cells play a crucial role in recovery for younger, healthier individuals, older bodies struggle to manage these cells, slowing down the recovery process. Metformin can help control these cells better, facilitating quicker recovery.
To test Metformin’s effectiveness on humans, the team conducted a study with 20 healthy older men and women over several weeks. Each participant had a muscle biopsy and MRI scan before the study began.
The participants were divided into two groups: one group received Metformin, and the other received a placebo. After five days of bed rest, which typically leads to muscle weakening, the researchers conducted another round of biopsies and scans.
Drummond reported two key findings from the study. First, participants who took Metformin during bed rest experienced less muscle weakening.
Second, these participants had less muscle fibrosis (hardening) during the recovery period. The muscle biopsies showed fewer signs of senescent cells in those who took Metformin.
Lead author Jonathan Petrocelli emphasized that this is the first study directly linking Metformin to improved muscle recovery in older people. The team’s goal is to help older patients maintain muscle strength, as muscle weakening can lead to severe health issues, including death.
They are now testing whether combining Metformin with an amino acid called leucine could further enhance recovery. Early results from animal studies are promising.
“Metformin is cheap, effective, and quite safe,” Drummond added, “so it’s exciting to see that we can use it to accelerate recovery for older individuals.”
For those interested in diabetes and overall health, other studies suggest that pomace olive oil could help lower blood cholesterol, and honey might help control blood sugar. Blueberries have been shown to benefit people with metabolic syndrome, and Metformin may also reduce cognitive decline.
The research discussed here was published in the journal Aging Cell, highlighting Metformin’s potential beyond its traditional use in diabetes management.
If you care about pain, please read studies about how to manage your back pain, and Krill oil could improve muscle health in older people.
For more information about pain, please see recent studies about how to live pain-free with arthritis, and results showing common native American plant may help reduce diarrhea and pain.
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