Metformin and Covid-19: Focused Review of Mechanisms and Current Literature Suggesting Benefit

Overview

Journal Front Endocrinol (Lausanne)

Specialty Endocrinology

Date 2021 Aug 9

PMID 34367059

Citations 22

Authors

Sherehan Ibrahim

Jamie R Lowe

Carolyn T Bramante

Surbhi Shah

Nichole R Klatt

Nancy Sherwood

Louis Aronne

Michael Puskarich

Leonardo Tamariz

Ana Palacio

Eric Bomberg

Michael Usher

Samantha King

Brad Benson

Deneen Vojta

Chris Tignanelli

Nicholas Ingraham

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Metformin is the first-line medication for type 2 diabetes, but it also has a long history of improved outcomes in infectious diseases, such as influenza, hepatitis C, and assays of zika. In the current Covid-19 pandemic, which has rapidly spread throughout the world, 4 observational studies have been published showing reduced mortality among individuals with home metformin use. There are several potential overlapping mechanisms by which metformin may reduce mortality from Covid-19. Metformin's past anti-infectious benefits have been both against the infectious agent directly, as well as by improving the underlying health of the human host. It is unknown if the lower mortality suggested by observational studies in patients infected with Covid-19 who are on home metformin is due to direct activity against the virus itself, improved host substrate, or both.

Citing Articles

Metformin in Antiviral Therapy: Evidence and Perspectives.

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Clinical Course and Factors Associated With Hospital Admission and Mortality among Sars-Cov 2 Patients within Nairobi Metropolitan Area.

Njuguna A, Wangombe A, Walekhwa M, Kamondo D medRxiv. 2024; .

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Coordination chemistry suggests that independently observed benefits of metformin and Zn against COVID-19 are not independent.

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Antidiabetic Drug Efficacy in Reduction of Mortality during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

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Unveiling the potential pleiotropic effects of metformin in treating COVID-19: a comprehensive review.

Petakh P, Kamyshna I, Kamyshnyi A Front Mol Biosci. 2023; 10:1260633.

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