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Drug repurposing: Metformin's effect against liver tissue damage in diabetes and prostate cancer model
Pınar Koroglu Aydın1, Ismet Burcu Turkyılmaz2, Ilknur Bugan Gul3
1Faculty of Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Halic University, Istanbul, Turkey.
Background:
There are evidences linking diabetes to the pathogenesis and progression of various cancers. Metformin is a well-known antidiabetic drug that reduces the levels of circulating glucose and insulin in patients with both insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia. Aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of metformin on the liver of rats bearing prostate cancer, diabetes and prostate cancer + diabetes via histopathological and biochemical methods.
Methods:
Male Copenhagen rats were divided into six groups. Control group, diabetic group, cancer group, diabetic + cancer group, diabetic + cancer + metformin group, cancer + metformin group. Diabetes was induced by injecting single dose of streptozotocin (65 mg/kg) to Copenhagen rats, cancer induced 2 × 104 Mat-LyLu cells. Metformin treatment was administered daily by gavage following inocculation of the Mat- Lylu cells to fifth and sixth group. The experiment was terminated on the 14th day following Mat-LyLu cell injection. At the end of the experimental period, the rats were sacrificed, and liver tissue was taken. Liver damage was scored. Biochemically, serum prostate-specific antigen level was determined by employing Enzyme Linked Immuno Sorbent Assay method. In addition, the activities of different enzyme and biochemical parameters were determined spectrophotometrically inform the hepatic tissue specimens.
Results:
The findings of this study reveal that histopathological and biochemical damage in cancer and diabetic + cancer groups decreased significantly in the metformin treated groups.
Conclusion:
These highlights that the antidiabetic drug metformin can be repositioned for attenuating liver tissue damage associated with prostate cancer and diabetes.
Insights
Metformin, an antidiabetic drug, significantly reduced liver damage in rats with prostate cancer and diabetes. This suggests metformin
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Endocrinology
- Hepatology
Background:
- Diabetes mellitus is linked to the pathogenesis and progression of various cancers.
- Metformin, a common antidiabetic medication, lowers circulating glucose and insulin levels, particularly in patients with insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the therapeutic potential of metformin in mitigating liver damage.
- To evaluate the effects of metformin on liver tissue in rats with co-existing diabetes and prostate cancer.
Main Methods:
- Male Copenhagen rats were assigned to six groups: control, diabetic, cancer, diabetic + cancer, and metformin-treated groups (diabetic + cancer + metformin, cancer + metformin).
- Diabetes was induced using streptozotocin; prostate cancer was induced by inoculating Mat-LyLu cells.
- Metformin was administered daily via gavage. Liver damage was assessed using histopathological scoring and biochemical analyses, including serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels and hepatic enzyme activities.
Main Results:
- Significant reductions in histopathological and biochemical markers of liver damage were observed in metformin-treated rats with cancer and diabetes.
- Metformin treatment ameliorated liver injury in both cancer-induced and diabetes-induced conditions.
Conclusions:
- The findings suggest that metformin possesses protective effects against liver tissue damage.
- Metformin may be a viable therapeutic option for attenuating liver damage associated with prostate cancer and diabetes, highlighting its potential for drug repositioning.
