Key result
Metformin demonstrates cardioprotective potential against ischemia/reperfusion injury and cardiac remodeling through AMPK activation and novel targets including autophagy and mitochondrial function.
Why the study?
New studies have emerged highlighting targets of metformin with cardioprotective potential beyond its classic activation of the AMPK pathway.
Does metformin provide cardioprotection and prevent cardiac remodeling beyond AMPK-mediated effects?
Does metformin provide cardioprotection and prevent cardiac remodeling beyond AMPK-mediated effects?
Metformin demonstrates cardioprotective potential against ischemia/reperfusion injury and cardiac remodeling through both classical AMPK pathways and novel targets like autophagy and mitochondrial function.
Supports metformin cardioprotection in animal ischemia models; leaves open translation to human remodeling or heart failure prevention.
Ischemic heart disease is the main cause of death globally. In the heart, the ischemia/reperfusion injury gives rise to a complex cascade of molecular signals, called cardiac remodeling, which generates harmful consequences for the contractile function of the myocardium and consequently heart failure. Metformin is the drug of choice in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Clinical data suggest the direct effects of this drug on cardiac metabolism and studies in animal models showed that metformin activates the classical pathway of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), generating cardioprotective effects during cardiac remodeling, hypertrophy and fibrosis. Furthermore, new studies have emerged about other targets of metformin with a potential role in cardioprotection. This state of the art review shows the available scientific evidence of the cardioprotective potential of metformin and its possible effects beyond AMPK. Targeting of autophagy, mitochondrial function and miRNAs are also explored as cardioprotective approaches along with a therapeutic potential. Further advances related to the biological effects of metformin and cardioprotective approaches may provide new therapies to protect the heart and prevent cardiac remodeling and heart failure.
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Bolívar et al. (2020) conducted a review in Ischemic heart disease and heart failure. Metformin was evaluated. Metformin demonstrates cardioprotective potential against ischemia/reperfusion injury and cardiac remodeling through AMPK activation and novel targets including autophagy and mitochondrial function.
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