Endocrine Abstracts

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate beneficial effects of metformin on membrane bound enzymes (monoamine oxidase, Na⁺K⁺ ATPse) and antioxidant enzymes (sueroxidase dismutase and glutathione S-transferases), lipid peroxidation, neurolipofuscin, and DNA degradation in diabetic aging female rats.

Methods: Young (3 months) adult (12 months) and aged (24 months) rats will be diabetic by using alloxan monohydrate. Metformin was administered i.p. at a dose of 200 mg/kg per day for 30 days to both control and diabetic aging rats. Learning was tested in a Morris water maze. A detailed study was carried on membrane linked enzymes, membrane fluidity, neurolipofuscin, antioxidant enzymes, and DNA degradation to identify the antidiabetic and antiaging role of metformin using biochemical, molecular, and histiochemical study.

Results: Present study shows that there was a similar pattern of increased lipid peroxidation, neurolipofuscin, DNA degradation, and monoamine oxidase activity and a decrease in membrane fluidity, Na⁺K⁺ ATPse, antixodant enzymes activities in both aging and diabetes. Metformin was found to be an effective treatment in stabilizing and normalizing the membrane functions; therefore this therapy can be considered an alternative to be explored further as a means of diabetic and aged related disorders control. Metformin treatment also helped to reverse the age-related changes studied, to normal levels, elucidating an anti-aging, antidiabetic, and neuroprotective action.

Conclusions: The results of this study will be useful for pharmacological modification of the aging process and applying new strategies for control of age-related disorders including metabolic syndrome.

Disclosure: CSIR grant 2005-6.