Type 2 Diabetes Drug Metformin Increases Lifespan: NIH

A latest report from the National Institute of Aging states that long term treatment with a type 2 diabetes drug helps in increasing lifespan.

The study conducted by a team of international scientists on male mice found that  long term treatment with the type 2 diabetes drug 'Metformin' helped in improving the health of male mice and they lived longer. In this study, the scientists tested two doses of the drug in the male mice and noticed that the higher dose of drug was toxic in animals.

Male mice that were kept on a 0.1 percent of metformin treatment had a 5.83 percent increase in lifespan, when compared to those mice who did not receive the drug metformin. With higher doses of drug, the mice's lifespan went down by 14 percent. They died mainly due to kidney failure. Lower doses of the drug did not have any effect on the renal system of the mice.

"There is increasing interest in exploring how drugs for one use might be repurposed for another," Richard J. Hodes, M.D., director of the NIA, said in a press statement. "It is exciting to discover that a drug already known to be safe and effective in humans might be further studied for a possible, alternate use for healthy aging."

 Metformin is an oral diabetes medicine that is taken to control blood sugar levels. The drug is prescribed for people with type 2 diabetes, and is usually given in combination with insulin or other medications. This drug is not mean to treat people suffering with type 1 diabetes.

The drug was prescribed to treat people with type 2 diabetes since 1960s. The drug reduces the risk of health issues linked with metabolic syndrome.

"Aging is a driving force behind metabolic syndrome and diabetes. Given that metformin is clinically proven to alleviate symptoms of these conditions, and reduce risk of cancer, we thought perhaps it was a good candidate to study for its broader effects on health and lifespan," said Rafael de Cabo, Ph.D., at the NIA's Intramural Research Program and the study lead.

In this study the team concentrated on examining those compounds that mimic the benefits of calorie restrictions seen in certain animal bodies. Slashing the calorie intake leads to a longer and healthier life.  Diets that include fewer calories protect the brain from damage by altering the way the body utilizes the energy. A similar change can be induced in the body by Metformin.

Studies conducted earlier show how metformin can increase the lifespan of small organisms like worms. But studies conducted on mammals and flies have been inconclusive.

In the present study, a series of tests were performed on male mice that were given  0.1 percent, 1 percent or no metformin starting at middle age. They noticed a clear health benefit was achieved from 0.1 percent metformin as these mice weighed less that the other group despite the huge calorie intake.

Mice that were kept on metformin had maintained their body weight with age and had a lower risk of cataract or metabolic syndrome.  A similar calorie restriction was seen on genes in liver and muscles that helped in an extended life. The drug had an antioxidant effect in mice.

The scientists emphasize on the need for further research before suggesting metformin for humans and have documented this current finding in the journal Nature Communications.