Metformin is a well-known medication used to help people with diabetes control their blood sugar.
But now, scientists believe it could also help older adults keep their muscles strong—especially after illness or injury.
This exciting discovery comes from researchers at the University of Utah Health.
The team, led by Dr. Micah Drummond, found that Metformin affects tiny troublemakers in the body called senescent cells.
These are sometimes called “zombie-like cells” because they don’t die when they should and instead cause inflammation. Inflammation from these cells can lead to scarring and weak muscles. Metformin helps by calming down these cells, which may allow the muscles to stay stronger.
This could be especially helpful for older adults recovering from surgeries like knee replacements, which often involve long recovery times and muscle loss.
As we age, muscle weakness becomes a serious health risk. It can lead to falls, slower healing, and other serious problems.
While senescent cells can help younger people heal after injury, in older adults, they tend to stick around too long and do more harm than good. Metformin’s ability to manage these cells may help older bodies heal more quickly and regain strength faster.
To test this idea, the researchers ran a small study involving 20 healthy older adults. Before the study began, participants had a muscle biopsy and an MRI scan. Then, they were split into two groups: one group took Metformin, and the other took a placebo (a pill with no active ingredients).
Next, everyone went on five days of bed rest, which usually causes muscles to weaken. After the bed rest, they had another round of biopsies and scans. Finally, after seven days of normal movement, they had one more muscle biopsy.
The results were promising. People who took Metformin had less muscle loss during bed rest and less muscle scarring afterward. Their muscle tissue also showed fewer of the harmful senescent cells.
This was the first study to clearly show that Metformin could help older adults recover muscle strength. Lead author Jonathan Petrocelli said the goal is to help people stay strong and healthy as they age.
The researchers are now looking into whether Metformin combined with a special amino acid called leucine might work even better. So far, studies in animals look encouraging.
Dr. Drummond added, “Metformin is cheap, effective, and quite safe.” This makes it a great option for helping older adults recover after illness, surgery, or long periods of rest.
This new use of Metformin could make a big difference in how we support aging adults. The study was published in the journal Aging Cell and may lead to better ways to stay healthy and strong later in life.
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