title: Mechanisms of action of metformin in type 2 diabetes and associated complications: an overview.
abstract: Type 2 diabetes is a major health problem associated with excess mortality and morbidity. Vascular complications are one of the most serious consequences of this disorder. Moreover, type 2 diabetes is also a risk factor for cerebral complications, including cognitive impairment and dementia. However, it has been shown that tight glycemic control contributes to reduce the incidence of diabetes-associated complications. Metformin is a potent antihyperglycemic agent widely used in the management of type 2 diabetes whose main actions are the suppression of gluconeogenesis and the improvement of glucose uptake and insulin sensitivity. This review is mainly devoted to describe the mechanisms of action underlying the antidiabetic effects of metformin. Furthermore, we will present evidence for the protective effects of metformin against diabetes-associated complications mainly cerebral and vascular complications. Finally, we will describe the few known side effects associated to this antidiabetic agent.
authors.affiliation: Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Institute of Physiology - Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, 3000-354 Coimbra, Portugal.
authors.forename: Sónia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Correia
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Carvalho
authors.forename: Maria S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.forename: Raquel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Seiça
authors.forename: Catarina R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.forename: Paula I
authors.initials: PI
authors.lastname: Moreira
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D048909:Diabetes Complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003925:Diabetic Angiopathies / Q000188:drug therapy; D003929:Diabetic Neuropathies / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D006943:Hyperglycemia / Q000188:drug therapy; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008687:Metformin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D008687:Metformin