Metformin is newly discovered and synergistically fasted to inhibit tumor growth in mice

Medical Network May 7 news that metformin has new discoveries, and fasting synergy, inhibiting tumor growth in mice.

Recently, according to the singularity network, scholars at the European Cancer Institute found that metformin and fasting can synergistically inhibit the growth of tumors in mice.

Metformin synergizes with fasting to inhibit tumor growth

Further studies have found that metformin and fasting inhibit tumor growth through the PP2A-GSK3β-MCL-1 pathway, and the study was published on Cancer Cell.

In the study, the researchers combined intermittent fasting with metformin to validate their therapeutic potential for the combination of tumors and explored the mechanisms involved.

The mice participating in the experiment were inoculated with human colon cancer cells, which were divided into five groups, two of which were allowed to eat ad libitum, and the other three groups were intermittently fasted in a 24-hour cycle. Normally fed and fasted mice were treated with metformin or placebo, respectively.

During the fasting cycle, the blood sugar of the mice decreased significantly and the body weight was also reduced (12g, the problem was not big). Although metformin has a hypoglycemic effect, it is targeted at high blood sugar, and there is no need to worry that metformin will cause a "substantial decline" in blood glucose in fasting mice.

Of course, the most striking thing is that tumor growth in the fasting/metformin group is strongly inhibited. After the end of fasting and normal feeding, the blood sugar level and weight of hypoglycemic mice returned to normal, and it seems that there is no need to worry about the negative effects of calorie restriction.

The effects of fasting are not limited to hypoglycemia, and levels of growth factors and nutrients are also reduced with fasting.

In order to find out the "golden partner" of metformin, the researchers placed human colon cancer cells and HeLa cells in a low-sugar, low-amino acid environment, treated the cells with metformin or placebo, and found that the tumor cells were only in low-sugar environment. Sensitive to metformin, it proves that the anti-cancer effect requires a low-sugar environment with metformin, which is indispensable.

However, the authors said that the use of metformin in the fasted state, although the weight loss exhibited by the mice is very small, in view of the "pre-existing" calorie control, and the difference in fat and body weight between mice and humans The safety of low-sugar/metformin combination therapy in cancer patients requires further testing.

However, Singularity Network also pointed out that the effect of calories on anti-cancer is not new. In the case of insufficient energy supply, the body's metabolism will be reduced, the tumor will be reduced, and the effect of chemotherapy will be increased.

According to previous research, strict restriction of intermittent fasting can protect patients from the toxic side effects of chemotherapy and does not cause weight loss due to excessive calorie restriction. Intermittent fasting may be a loyalty to optimize the anti-cancer effect.

Some commentators said that metformin is a new addition to the anti-cancer road. It has good safety and scientists are exploring its potential as a cancer adjuvant therapy and in combination with other treatments.

The potential of metformin in the treatment of cancer

Metformin synergistically fasting inhibits tumor growth and is not the first manifestation of metformin in combination with other conditions.

Previously, a team led by Dr. Marsha rich rosner of the University of Chicago found that metformin, in combination with another old drug, hemphatin, can target triple-negative breast cancer that poses a serious threat to women's health.

Heme is the main component of hemoglobin, which is the main component of blood cells. Hemoglobin, a drug with hemoglobin as its main component, has long been approved for the treatment of heme synthesis deficiency.

There is evidence that this treatment strategy may be effective for a variety of cancers such as lung, kidney, uterine, prostate, and acute myeloid leukemia, and the study is published in the top journal Nature.

In addition, in recent years, a number of epidemiological data have shown that metformin has the effect of preventing tumors and even treating tumors.

More and more studies suggest that metformin can prevent lung cancer and improve the prognosis of patients with lung cancer.

Of course, in addition to the above mentioned effects, as a classic old drug, metformin continues to bring surprises to humans.

Attachment: Other effects currently found in metformin

1. Reduce the risk of miscarriage and preterm birth in specific pregnant women

Recently, the latest study published in the Lancet publication shows that metformin may reduce the risk of miscarriage and premature birth in a particular pregnant woman.

According to reports, scientists from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) and St.Olavs Hospital conducted a study for nearly 20 years. Patients with polycystic ovary syndrome who took metformin at the end of the third trimester of pregnancy may reduce late abortion and The risk of preterm birth.

The results show that this intervention can reduce the risk of abortion and preterm birth in pregnant women with PCOS. At the same time, women taking metformin gained less weight during pregnancy.

2 , to prevent inflammation caused by smog

The results of the study showed that the team led by Professor Scott Budinger of Northwestern University in the United States confirmed that metformin can prevent inflammation caused by smog, prevent immune cells from releasing a dangerous molecule into the blood, inhibit the formation of arterial thrombosis, and thus reduce cardiovascular disease. the risk of disease.

3 , anti-aging effect

At present, the US Food and Drug Administration has approved the clinical trial of “Metformin against aging”. Foreign scientists have used metformin as an anti-aging drug candidate, probably because metformin can increase the amount of oxygen molecules released into cells. In fact, this seems to increase the health of the body and extend the life.

4, weight loss

Metformin is a hypoglycemic agent that can lose weight. It increases insulin sensitivity and reduces fat synthesis. For many type 2 sugar friends, the weight loss itself is a matter that is conducive to the stability of blood sugar control.

A study by the US Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) study group showed that patients who received metformin lost an average of 3.1 kg in an unblinded study for 7-8 years.

5 , cardiovascular protection

Metformin has cardiovascular protection and is currently the only hypoglycemic drug recommended by the Diabetes Guidelines for evidence of clear cardiovascular benefit. Studies have shown that long-term treatment with metformin is significantly associated with a decreased risk of cardiovascular disease in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic patients and type 2 diabetic patients who have developed cardiovascular disease.

6 , improve polycystic ovary syndrome

Polycystic ovary syndrome is a heterogeneous disease characterized by hyperandrogenism, ovarian dysfunction, and polycystic ovary morphology. The pathogenesis is unclear, and patients often have different degrees of hyperinsulinemia. Studies have shown that metformin can improve hyperglotteremia by reducing insulin resistance, restoring its ovulation function.

7. Improve intestinal flora

Studies have shown that metformin can restore the proportion of intestinal flora, making it in a direction that is conducive to health . It provides an advantageous living environment for beneficial bacteria in the intestines, thereby reducing blood sugar and positively regulating the immune system.

8 , is expected to treat part of autism

Recently, researchers at McGill University found that metformin can treat some forms of autism with Fragile X syndrome, and the innovative study was published in the journal Nature, Journal of Nature Medicine. Currently, autism is one of many medical conditions that scientists believe can be treated with metformin.

9 , reverse lung fibrosis

Researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham have found that in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice, AMPK activity in fibrotic tissue is reduced, and cells are resistant to tissue. Apoptotic myofibroblasts increase.

The use of metformin to activate AMPK in myofibroblasts allows these cells to re-sensitize apoptosis. Moreover, metformin can accelerate the ablation of already produced fibrotic tissue in a mouse model.

This study suggests that metformin or other AMPK agonists can be used to reverse the fibrosis that has been produced.

10 , assist in quitting smoking

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have found that long-term use of nicotine leads to activation of the AMPK signaling pathway, while AMPK signaling pathways are inhibited during nicotine withdrawal. Therefore, they concluded that activating the AMPK signaling pathway with drugs may alleviate the withdrawal response.

Metformin is an AMPK agonist. When the researchers used metformin in mice that developed a nicotine withdrawal response, they found that this relieved the withdrawal response in mice. Their research shows that metformin can be used to help quit smoking.

11 , anti-inflammatory effect

Previously, preclinical studies and clinical studies have shown that metformin not only improves chronic inflammation by improving metabolic parameters such as hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, and dyslipidemia, but also has a direct anti-inflammatory effect.

Studies have shown that metformin inhibits inflammatory responses, mainly by inhibiting nuclear transcription factor B (NFB) by AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)-dependent or non-dependent manner.

12 , reverse cognitive impairment

Researchers at the University of Texas at Dallas have established a mouse model that mimics pain-related cognitive impairment. They used this model to test the efficacy of multiple drugs.

The results of the experiment showed that treatment of mice with metformin at 200 mg/kg body weight for 7 days completely reversed the cognitive impairment caused by pain.

Gabapentin, which treats neuralgia and epilepsy, does not have this effect. This means that metformin can be used as a new drug to treat cognitive impairment in patients with neuralgia.