Metformin is a medication that millions of people take to manage their blood sugar levels.
It’s one of the most common treatments for diabetes. But now, scientists at the University of Utah Health have found a surprising new use for this well-known drug—it may help keep muscles strong, especially in older adults.
This exciting discovery could make a big difference in how older people recover from injuries or surgeries, such as knee operations, which often take a long time to heal.
So how does a diabetes drug help muscles? The answer lies in what’s happening inside our bodies at the cellular level. The research team, led by Dr. Micah Drummond, looked closely at certain cells in the body called “senescent cells.”
These cells are sometimes called “zombie cells” because they don’t die when they’re supposed to. Instead, they hang around and cause inflammation.
In younger people, these senescent cells can actually help with healing. But as we get older, the body struggles to manage them. When too many of these cells build up, they start to harm muscle tissue, causing it to become stiff and weak. Over time, this can lead to more falls, slower recovery from illness, and other serious health problems.
That’s where Metformin comes in. This drug seems to help the body control these harmful cells, reducing inflammation and muscle damage. The result? Stronger muscles and faster recovery in older adults.
To test their theory, the researchers ran a study with 20 healthy older adults. Before the study started, all participants had a muscle biopsy (a small sample taken from the muscle) and an MRI scan. Then, they were split into two groups. One group took Metformin, and the other took a placebo (a pill that doesn’t contain any medicine).
Both groups stayed in bed for five days, which is known to weaken muscles. After that, they returned to normal life for seven days. Muscle biopsies and scans were taken again at the end of the study.
The results were very encouraging. The group that took Metformin had less muscle weakening during bed rest. They also showed fewer signs of muscle scarring and had fewer senescent cells in their tissues. This suggests that Metformin helped protect their muscles, even during inactivity.
Jonathan Petrocelli, the lead author of the study, said this was the first time researchers have directly linked Metformin to better muscle recovery in older adults.
Dr. Drummond and his team are now looking into whether combining Metformin with an amino acid called leucine could improve recovery even more. Early tests in animals show that this combination might be even more powerful.
One of the best things about Metformin is that it’s affordable and has a long track record of being safe. If more studies confirm these results, it could become a simple and effective way to help older adults stay stronger and healthier as they age.
This important research was published in the journal Aging Cell.
If you care about diabetes, please read studies about Scientists find a promising treatment for type 2 diabetes and findings of Certain type 2 diabetes treatment may bring heart risks.
For more about diabetes, please read studies about New type 2 diabetes treatment could help patients stop taking insulin and findings of Scientists find true cause of inflammation in type 2 diabetes.
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