Metformin Alters Blood Metal Levels in Humans, Providing New Insights into Its Mechanism of Action

Metformin, the most widely prescribed medication for Type 2 diabetes, has long been known for its ability to lower blood sugar levels. However, recent research from Kobe University has revealed that it also causes significant changes in blood metal concentrations, which could shed light on how the drug works at a molecular level. The study involved approximately 200 diabetes patients, half of whom were taking metformin. Blood samples showed that individuals on metformin had notably decreased levels of copper and iron, along with increased zinc levels. These alterations are important because fluctuations in blood metals are associated with improved glucose regulation and reduced risk of complications related to diabetes.

The research team explained that metformin’s capacity to bind certain metals, especially copper, might be responsible for its beneficial effects. This metal-binding action could influence various biological pathways, potentially explaining some of the drug's wide-ranging benefits beyond glycemic control, including anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor effects. The findings mark the first clinical evidence linking metformin use to blood metal level changes in humans.

Furthermore, a new diabetes medication called imeglimin, derived from metformin, has been approved in Japan. Unlike metformin, imeglimin is thought not to bind metals, indicating a different mechanism of action. Researchers are now comparing the two drugs to better understand their distinct effects.

Ogawa Wataru from Kobe University emphasized that understanding how metformin impacts metal levels can help develop more targeted therapies. He highlighted the importance of ongoing clinical trials and animal studies to determine the causal relationships and to refine drug development further. Ultimately, these insights could lead to novel treatments for diabetes and its complications by precisely adjusting metal concentrations in the body.

This discovery represents a major step toward unraveling the complex actions of metformin, with potential implications for improving diabetes management and developing new therapeutic strategies.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-08-metformin-blood-metal-humans-insight.html