Key points from article :
Metformin, a common type 2 diabetes drug showed life-prolonging effect in mice, flies and worms.
Researchers investigated metabolic response of young and old non-diabetic organisms to metformin in nematode C. elegans and human primary cells.
Found that metformin was highly toxic when animals of old age were treated.
Up to 80% of the population at old age were killed by metformin within the first 24 hours of treatment.
Metformin treatment initiated at an advanced age induces a cascade of metabolic failures.
Toxic effect of metformin in old animals was reduced by simultaneous administration of rapamycin to stabilize the ATP levels.
"This shows possible safety risks of late life administration of metformin to individuals without diabetes" – Maria Ermolaeva, Author.
It warrants further detailed studies in mammals to probe the suitability of metformin.
Study by Leibniz Institute on Aging—Fritz Lipmann Institute published in Nature metabolism.
