Metformin’s Mechanism and Multifaceted Role

Key Discovery

• Mechanism Uncovered:
  • Metformin, a widely used Type 2 diabetes drug, works by blocking mitochondrial complex I, a crucial component of cellular energy production.
  • This disruption lowers blood sugar levels effectively.

Significance of the Discovery

• Provides a clear understanding of how metformin works, which had remained unclear despite over 60 years of clinical use.

Metformin’s Multifaceted Role

1. Primary Use:
   • Millions use metformin to manage Type 2 diabetes by lowering blood glucose levels.
2. Additional Benefits:
   • Slows cancer growth.
   • Reduces inflammation.
   • Shows promise in improving COVID-19 outcomes.

Advantages

• Targets disease-causing cells with minimal harm to healthy cells.

This breakthrough enhances the understanding of metformin’s mechanisms and paves the way for further research into its broad therapeutic potential.

Source: Northwestern Medicine study.