Hormonal
Metformin treatment improves outcomes in osteoarthritis (OA) by reducing inflammation, protecting articular cartilage via the AMPK pathway, and reducing body weight.
For those with osteoarthritis, especially if overweight, metformin (if prescribed for diabetes) may offer additional joint protection and pain relief. This is likely due to its anti-inflammatory properties and weight loss effects. Consult your doctor about whether existing metformin therapy is contributing to joint health.
Animal studies showed that metformin protected articular cartilage by activating AMPK pathway, delayed the onset and progression of OA and reduced OA-related pain sensitivity in injury-induced OA models in mice and in primates [35, 36].
Why this rating
Strong preclinical evidence (mice/primates) and some clinical observation, but large-scale human RCTs for OA specifically are not the primary focus compared to diabetes.
Source
Metformin in aging and aging-related diseases: clinical applications and relevant mechanisms
Sheng Chen et al. · Theranostics · 2022
DOI 10.7150/thno.71360
More from this paper
- Metformin administration is associated with a reduced incidence of multiple age-related diseases and all-cause mortality in both diabetic and non-diabetic populations.Moderate
- Metformin use is associated with a reduced risk of various cancers, including breast, colorectal, and pancreatic cancer, though effects on pancreatic cancer prognosis are mixed.Moderate
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