Use of Metformin to Improve Muscle Regrowth in Older Adults
University of Utah
Summary
A hallmark of aging is an impaired ability to adequately recover following a stressor, such as muscle disuse, resulting in muscle fibrosis and weakness thereby increasing the risk for falls and loss of independence. Mechanistic-based therapeutic strategies to enhance muscle recovery in older adults do not exist. Metformin has been implicated to have positive effects on muscle size and function through non-glycemic mechanisms. Metformin has been shown to enhance macrophage function and lessen cellular senescence burden by targeting SASP in a variety of muscle interstitial cells. However, the role of metformin to improve muscle recovery in older adults following disuse atrophy through immunomodulating and senomorphic mechanisms have not been examined. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to conduct a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial in older adult participants to determine if short-term metformin delivery (vs placebo) during the recovery phase following disuse atrophy can improve muscle regrowth.
Description
Aging is associated with impaired muscle recovery following disuse atrophy. If not addressed, restricted muscle regrowth and function may lead to a cascade of health crisis events for the aged individual (falls, disability, metabolic diseases). Clinically adopted treatments that promote muscle recovery, particularly in elderly patients, do not exist. The long-term goal of this project is to develop mechanistic-based therapeutic approaches to accelerate muscle recovery following disuse atrophy in older adults. Macrophages are well understood to play a requisite role in myofiber remodeling incl…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 60+ years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Age between 60y and older 2. BMI: \<30 kg/m2 3. Good general medical health, ambulatory and in independent living setting 4. Adequate upper body strength to use assistive walking device (crutches, walker, etc) as assessed by PI/staff during screening 5. Clinical Frailty Scale score \< 3 6. Mini-Cog score \> 3 Exclusion Criteria: 1. History of cardiovascular disease (e.g., CHF, CAD, MI, CVA) 2. History of endocrine or metabolic disease such as hypo/hyperthyroidism and diabetes (Treated hypo/hyperthyroid for at least 6 months will be permitted) 3. History of kidney dise…
Interventions
- DrugMetformin
Metformin will be distributed in 500mg pills.
- OtherPlacebo
Placebo will be distributed in pill form
Location
- University of UtahSalt Lake City, Utah