Wheeler Torres*, Manuel Nava, Nestor Galbán, Yosselin Gómez, Valery Morillo, Milagros Rojas, Clímaco Cano, Maricarmen Chacín, Luis D´Marco, Yaneth Herazo, Manuel Velasco, Valmore Bermúdez and Joselyn Rojas-Quintero Pages 4496 - 4508 ( 13 )
Aging is a time-dependent inevitable process, in which cellular homeostasis is affected, which has an impact on tissue function. This represents a risk factor for the development of numerous non-transmissible diseases. In consequence, the scientific community continues to search for therapeutic measures capable of improving quality of life and delaying cellular aging. At the center of this research is metformin, a widely used drug in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus treatment that has a reduced adverse effects profile. Furthermore, there is evidence that this drug has beneficial health effects that go beyond its anti-hyperglycemic properties. Among these effects, its geronto-protection capability stands out. There is growing evidence that points out to an increased life expectancy as well as the quality of life in model organisms treated with metformin. Therefore, there is an abundance of research centered on elucidating the mechanism through which metformin has its anti-aging effects. Among these, the AMPK, mTORC1, SIRT1, FOXO, NF.kB, and DICER1 pathways can be mentioned. Furthermore, studies have highlighted the possibility of a role for the gut microbiome in these processes. The next step is the design of clinical essays that have as a goal evaluating the efficacy and safety of metformin as an anti-aging drug in humans to create a paradigm in the medical horizon. The question being if metformin is, in fact, the new antiaging therapy in humans?
Metformin, ageing, anti-ageing drugs, Type 2 diabetes mellitus, geronto-protective properties, cellular homeostasis.
Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases Research Center, School of Medicine, University of Zulia, Maracaibo, Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases Research Center, School of Medicine, University of Zulia, Maracaibo, Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases Research Center. School of Medicine, University of Zulia. Maracaibo, Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases Research Center, School of Medicine, University of Zulia, Maracaibo, Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases Research Center, School of Medicine, University of Zulia, Maracaibo, Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases Research Center, School of Medicine, University of Zulia, Maracaibo, Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases Research Center, School of Medicine, University of Zulia, Maracaibo, Universidad Simon Bolivar, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Barranquilla, Hospital Clinico Universitario, INCLIVA, Nephrology Department, Valencia, Universidad Simon Bolivar, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Barranquilla, Clinical Pharmacologic Unit, Vargas School of Medicine, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas, Universidad Simon Bolivar, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Barranquilla, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine Department, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115