Metformin, potential remyelination agent via proliferation of
Oligodendrocyte Precursor Cells (OPC)

Newsletter # 98



In vitro model


The biguanide Metformin is used as a first-line therapy for type 2 diabetes with an effective glucose-lowering effect. In a prospective observational study, Metformin has been reported to slow cognitive decline and lower dementia risk in older people with diabetes. Besides its role in the treatment of diabetes, it mediates many vital processes through various pathways particularly rejuvenating and remyelination effect in aging process. This omnidirectional action of Metformin has motivated 3 planned clinical trials (NCT05131828, NCT04882332 and NCT04121468) to investigate its impact on Multiple Sclerosis.
At Neurofit, Metformin was found to significantly stimulate the proliferation of the precursor of Oligodendrocytes, the myelin forming cells. This finding is supportive of the potential beneficial effect of Metformin in demyelinating disorders such as multiple sclerosis.
  • Increased viability in OPC cultures induced by Metformin, as measured by MTT assay

    NEUROFIT website

    Left panel: The MTT assay measures the metabolic activity of cells and thus may reflect the number of viable cells under defined conditions. The graph shows a concentration-dependent increase in the viability of OPC after 3 days exposure with Metformin.

  • Increased nuclei count in OPC cultures following exposure to metformin, as visualized by DAPI staining

    NEUROFIT website

    Right panel: The graph shows an increase number of nuclei in the OPC cultures after 3 days exposure with Metformin. Nuclei are stained with DAPI (4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole) and counted by image analysis software.
    *, p ≤ 0.05; **, p ≤ 0.01; ***, p ≤ 0.001; as compared to the control



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