Gut-Targeted Complex I Blockade Reveals Metformin’s Glucose-Lowering Mechanism
TL;DR Summary
A Nature Metabolism study shows metformin lowers glucose by acutely inhibiting mitochondrial complex I specifically in intestinal epithelium, reducing citrulline production and boosting GDF15, thereby reprogramming the gut into a glucose sink that takes up glucose and converts it to lactate; phenformin and berberine act via the same intestine-specific Complex I mechanism, and the effect depends on short-term bolus exposure rather than chronic dosing.
- Metformin inhibits mitochondrial complex I in intestinal epithelium to promote glycaemic control Nature
- Metformin's real power may be in the gut Medical Xpress
- Metformin Lowers Blood Sugar by Targeting Gut, Not Liver, Northwestern Study in Mice Finds geneonline.com
- Metformin Targets Gut Mitochondria to Improve Glycemia Bioengineer.org
- Metformin lowers blood glucose by targeting intestinal mitochondrial complex I Nature
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