Metformin: A Narrative Review of Its Potential Benefits for Cardiovascular Disease, Cancer and Dementia

W.M.C. Top, A. Kooy*, C.D.A. Stehouwer

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

The biguanide metformin has been used as first-line therapy in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) treatment for several decades. In addition to its glucose-lowering properties and its prevention of weight gain, the landmark UK Prospective Diabetes Study (UKPDS) demonstrated cardioprotective properties in obese T2DM patients. Coupled with a favorable side effect profile and low cost, metformin has become the cornerstone in the treatment of T2DM worldwide. In addition, metformin is increasingly being investigated for its potential anticancer and neuroprotective properties both in T2DM patients and non-diabetic individuals. In the meantime, new drugs with powerful cardioprotective properties have been introduced and compete with metformin for its place in the treatment of T2DM. In this review we will discuss actual insights in the various working mechanisms of metformin and the evidence for its beneficial effects on (the prevention of) cardiovascular disease, cancer and dementia. In addition to observational evidence, emphasis is placed on randomized trials and recent meta-analyses to obtain an up-to-date overview of the use of metformin in clinical practice.
Original languageEnglish
Article number312
Number of pages20
JournalPharmaceuticals
Volume15
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Mar 2022

Keywords

  • metformin
  • cardiovascular diseases
  • diabetes
  • cancer
  • dementia
  • pleiotropic effect
  • TYPE-2 DIABETES-MELLITUS
  • ALL-CAUSE MORTALITY
  • GLUCOSE CONTROL
  • DRUG METFORMIN
  • HYPERGLYCEMIA
  • METAANALYSIS
  • OUTCOMES
  • PLACEBO
  • RISK
  • ASSOCIATION

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Metformin: A Narrative Review of Its Potential Benefits for Cardiovascular Disease, Cancer and Dementia'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this