Metformin and prevention of diabetic kidney disease

Abstract

Metformin is the class of oral glucose-lowering drugs widely used for the prevention or treatment of type 2 diabetes. AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) via metformin, a cellular energy regulator, can be used to balance hemostasis. Many studies showed that hyperglycemia significantly inhibited the AMPK and increased activation of mTOR pathway, and also, it was induced hypertrophy and renal injury leading to diabetic nephropathy. It is clear that metformin attenuates oxidative stress through via AMPK signaling pathways contributing to its nephroprotective effects in diabetic nephropathy (diabetic kidney disease).

Keywords: Metformin, Diabetic nephropathy, Diabetic kidney disease, Antioxidants