If started early in life, metformin treatment increases life span and postpones tumors in female SHR mice
2011

Metformin Increases Lifespan and Delays Tumors in Mice

Sample size: 288 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Anisimov Vladimir N., Berstein Lev M., Popovich Irina G., Zabezhinski Mark A., Egormin Peter A., Piskunova Tatiana S., Semenchenko Anna V., Tyndyk Margarita L., Yurova Maria N., Kovalenko Irina G., Poroshina Tatiana E.

Primary Institution: N.N.Petrov Research Institute of Oncology, Pesochny-2, St.Petersburg, Russia

Hypothesis

Does metformin treatment started at different ages affect lifespan and tumor development in female SHR mice?

Conclusion

Metformin treatment started early in life increases lifespan and delays tumor development in female SHR mice.

Supporting Evidence

  • Metformin treatment started at 3 months increased mean lifespan by 14%.
  • Treatment at 9 months increased mean lifespan by 6%.
  • Treatment at 15 months did not increase lifespan.
  • Metformin delayed first tumor detection by 22% and 25% when started at 3 and 9 months, respectively.
  • Mean lifespan of tumor-free mice increased by 21% in the youngest group.

Takeaway

If you give mice a medicine called metformin when they are young, they live longer and get tumors later than if they don't get the medicine.

Methodology

Female SHR mice were treated with metformin starting at 3, 9, or 15 months of age, and their lifespan and tumor development were monitored.

Limitations

The study only included female SHR mice, which may limit the generalizability of the findings.

Participant Demographics

Outbred Swiss-derived female SHR mice.

Statistical Information

P-Value

0.181

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

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