Insulin and Metformin shows promise in treatment of Diabetic Foot Ulcer: Research Finds
Researchers from Michigan State University and South Shore Hospital in Massachusetts have uncovered a connection between two common diabetes drugs injectable insulin and metformin identified in wound exudates of diabetic foot ulcers, which may improve their healing.
Research published in ACS Pharmacology & Translational Science has found that wound exudate the fluid the body sends to an injury site contains metformin in patients who take the medication orally.
The researchers then explored metformin’s relationship to insulin. They found that for patients who take both insulin injections and oral metformin, the amount of metformin found in wounds significantly increases. It was previously believed that there was no interaction between insulin and metformin.
Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) pose a significant challenge in wound care due to their chronic nature and impaired healing processes. This study examines the biogenic amines and small molecule metabolites present in diabetic foot ulcer wound exudates to identify their potential roles in wound healing.
“Until now, pharmacological studies had not found an interaction between insulin and metformin,” said Morteza Mahmoudi, an associate professor in the Department of Radiology and Precision Health Program at the MSU College of Human Medicine.. “Our study shows that there could be at least an indirect role of consuming both insulin and metformin in a way that metformin can end up in a wound area where it enhances the body’s capacity to heal.”
Reference: Gould, L., & Mahmou, M. (2024). Analysis of biogenic amines and small molecule metabolites in human diabetic wound ulcer exudate. ACS Pharmacology & Translational Science.
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