Srinagar, March 29: A significant new study has reaffirmed the importance of Metformin, one of the world’s oldest and most affordable diabetes medications, by uncovering its direct action on the brain to regulate blood sugar levels.
The research indicates that Metformin, a first-line treatment for millions globally and extensively used in Jammu and Kashmir, influences the brain in addition to its known effects on the liver and gut.
According to details received by The Chenab Times, experts in the region, where diabetes affects a substantial portion of the population, have welcomed these findings as a validation of the drug’s efficacy.
Professor Shariq Masoodi, a prominent endocrinologist and former Head of Endocrinology at SKIMS, Srinagar, stated that Metformin remains the most widely prescribed and economically accessible drug in India. He noted that for a country where Metformin is affordable, readily available, and already the primary therapy for millions, this discovery provides additional scientific backing.
Professor Masoodi emphasized that the findings strengthen the argument against discontinuing the use of Metformin in favour of newer, more expensive alternatives.
Dr Zubair Saleem, a physician and founder of the Moul Mouj Foundation, described Metformin as a “wonder drug.” He explained that in addition to its effects on the liver, the drug is now understood to also act on the brain, contributing to blood sugar regulation and aiding in weight management.
The latest research, published in the journal Science Advances by Baylor College of Medicine in Texas, offers novel insights into the effectiveness and continued relevance of Metformin in diabetes management. For over six decades, Metformin was primarily understood to affect the liver and gut, but this new study adds a crucial layer to the understanding of its mechanism of action.
The research identified that Metformin targets the ventromedial hypothalamus, a key region of the brain that scientists refer to as the “metabolic thermostat.” This area plays a vital role in controlling appetite, energy expenditure, and glucose balance within the body.
The study details that Metformin operates by inhibiting a protein called Rap1 and simultaneously activating nerve cells responsible for lowering blood sugar. Researchers observed that even minimal quantities of the drug demonstrated effectiveness through this brain-related pathway.
Dr Makoto Fukuda, the lead researcher, reported that experiments showed Metformin’s action ceased when this specific brain pathway was blocked. In contrast, other diabetes medications, such as insulin, continued to function normally under the same experimental conditions.
The newly identified brain action of Metformin is particularly relevant for patients in Jammu and Kashmir, many of whom grapple with type 2 diabetes often linked to obesity. Given the constrained accessibility to costly newer medications and Metformin’s comparatively well-established safety profile, local physicians have consistently relied on this drug for patient care.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
