title: Metformin: A Hopeful Promise in Aging Research.
abstract: Even though the inevitable process of aging by itself cannot be considered a disease, it is directly linked to life span and is the driving force behind all age-related diseases. It is an undisputable fact that age-associated diseases are among the leading causes of death in the world, primarily in industrialized countries. During the last several years, an intensive search of antiaging treatments has led to the discovery of a variety of drugs that promote health span and/or life extension. The biguanide compound metformin is widely used for treating people with type 2 diabetes and appears to show protection against cancer, inflammation, and age-related pathologies. Here, we summarize the recent developments about metformin use in translational aging research and discuss its role as a potential geroprotector.
authors.affiliation: Translational Gerontology Branch, National Institute on Aging, NIH, Baltimore, Maryland 21224 Research Center of Molecular Medicine and Chronic Diseases (CIMUS), University of Santiago de Compostela-Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria, Santiago de Compostela 15782, Spain CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERobn), Santiago de Compostela 15706, Spain.
authors.forename: Marta G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Novelle
authors.affiliation: Translational Gerontology Branch, National Institute on Aging, NIH, Baltimore, Maryland 21224.
authors.forename: Ahmed
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ali
authors.affiliation: CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERobn), Santiago de Compostela 15706, Spain.
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Diéguez
authors.affiliation: Translational Gerontology Branch, National Institute on Aging, NIH, Baltimore, Maryland 21224.
authors.forename: Michel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bernier
authors.affiliation: Translational Gerontology Branch, National Institute on Aging, NIH, Baltimore, Maryland 21224.
authors.forename: Rafael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: de Cabo
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008017:Life Expectancy; D008687:Metformin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D057170:Translational Research, Biomedical
chemical_list: D008687:Metformin