In Mice, Diabetes Drug Metformin Tied to Longer, Healthier Lives
A new study in mice hints that the widely used diabetes drug metformin might have life-extending benefits beyond its effects on diabetes. The study found that a small dose of metformin, given regularly in middle age, boosted the health of mice and extended their lives, while a larger dose shortened their lives. One expert said the study does seem promising. "This study is highly credible and suggests that metformin may be useful to treat a range of age-related diseases, possibly including cancer in humans," said Charles Mobbs, MD, a professor of neuroscience, endocrinology and geriatrics at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. "It should be noted that mice do not develop diabetes with age (their blood glucose actually tends to fall with age) so the protective effects of metformin to increase lifespan is probably not due to its anti-diabetic effects, per se," he added.
- Dr. Charles Mobbs, Professor, Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Neuroscience, Medicine, Endocrinology, Diabetes and Bone Disease, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
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