Does metformin enhance the effect of exercise on skeletal muscles? Gaining lean body mass, also called muscle mass, can be a daunting task for most people but it is especially difficult for people with diabetes.
Exercise is generally considered to have a positive effect on muscle function and growth. However, scientists have been searching for various ways to enhance the effect of exercise on skeletal muscles.
Metformin has often been associated with the enhancement of the effects of physical exercise on the body’s muscles. However, clinical data on this topic is lacking.
Diabetes is a serious medical condition that affects millions of people worldwide. Metformin is a widely used medication for the treatment of diabetes. It works by reducing the amount of glucose produced by the liver and increasing the body's sensitivity to insulin.
A clinical trial published in the journal Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism has evaluated whether metformin can indeed enhance the effects of exercise on the growth and function of muscles.
The clinical study, which is an analysis of two randomized clinical trials, involved 44 participants who were made to perform a structured physical exercise for 12 weeks. Some of these patients were given metformin while others were given alternative drugs to manage their diabetes.
Muscle biopsies (microscopic evaluation of small pieces of body tissue) were taken before the start of the exercise period and after 12 weeks of exercise.
The researchers measured various indicators of skeletal muscle function, such as changes in muscle fiber type, mitochondrial content, and insulin sensitivity.