Metformin's impact on digestion and gut bacteria linked to better blood sugar control in diabetic mice

Metformin restored glucose tolerance in mice with a high fat high sucrose diet, with effects observed at doses escalating from 50 to 200 mg/kg/day.

• Dose-dependent improvements in fasting insulin levels and HOMA-IR index were observed with metformin treatment.
• Increased mucus production and GLP-1 expression in the gut correlated with higher doses of metformin.
• Certain gut-related changes, such as ileal Fxr-Fgf15 inhibition and hepatic ceramide reduction, did not correspond to the metformin dose, indicating they may not drive glycemic control.
• Metformin treatment resulted in increased proliferation of intestinal epithelial cells and longer ileal villi.
• The composition of gut bacteria showed varying sensitivity to metformin, highlighting complex interactions within the microbial ecosystem.

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