Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 30, 2025

Fixation and Operational Method for Abdominal Massage in T2DM Mice
Published on: March 7, 2025
Striking a gut-liver balance for the antidiabetic effects of metformin
Emma Barroso1, Marta Montori-Grau1, Walter Wahli2
1Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, University of Barcelona, Institute of Biomedicine of the University of Barcelona (IBUB), Barcelona, Spain; Pediatric Research Institute-Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, E-08950 Barcelona, Spain; CIBER de Diabetes y Enfermedades Metabólicas Asociadas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Avinguda Joan XXII 27-31, E-08028 Barcelona, Spain.
Abstract:
Metformin is the most prescribed drug for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), but its mechanism of action has not yet been completely elucidated. Classically, the liver has been considered the major site of action of metformin. However, over the past few years, advances have unveiled the gut as an additional important target of metformin, which contributes to its glucose-lowering effect through new mechanisms of action. A better understanding of the mechanistic details of metformin action in the gut and the liver and its relevance in patients remains the challenge of present and future research and may impact drug development for the treatment of T2DM. Here, we offer a critical analysis of the current status of metformin-driven multiorgan glucose-lowering effects.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Oral Hypoglycemic Agents: Biguanides and Glitazones
Oral Hypoglycemic Agents: α-Glucosidase Inhibitors
Acarbose and miglitol are...
Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4 Inhibitors
Oral Hypoglycemic Agents: Glinides
Hormones Regulating Blood Glucose
In addition to accelerating glucose uptake and utilization, insulin has...
Glucagon-like Receptor Agonists
GLP-1, when administered in high doses intravenously, triggers insulin secretion, inhibits glucagon release, slows gastric emptying, reduces food intake, and restores normal insulin secretion. However, its rapid inactivation by...

