Anti‑inflammatory effect of metformin against an experimental model of LPS‑induced cytokine storm

  • Authors:
    • Ibrahim Taher
    • Eman El‑Masry
    • Mohamed Abouelkheir
    • Ahmed E. Taha
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  • Published online on: July 13, 2023     https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2023.12114
  • Article Number: 415
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Abstract

Cytokine storm is one of the leading causes of death in patients with COVID‑19. Metformin has been shown to inhibit the action of a wide range of proinflammatory cytokines such as IL‑6, and TNF‑α which may ultimately affect cytokine storm due to Covid‑19. The present study analyzed the anti‑inflammatory effect of oral and intraperitoneal (IP) metformin administration routes in a mouse model of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‑induced cytokine storm. A total of 60 female BALB/c mice were randomly assigned to one of six groups: i) Control; ii) LPS model; iii) oral saline + LPS; iv) oral metformin + LPS; v) IP saline + LPS; and vi) IP metformin + LPS. Metformin or saline were administered to the mice for 30 days, after which an IP injection of 0.5 mg/kg LPS induced a cytokine storm in the five treatment groups. Mice were sacrificed and serum cytokine levels were measured. Pretreatment of mice with either oral or IP metformin significantly reduced the increase in IL‑1, IL‑6 and TNF‑α following LPS injection. Both metformin administration routes significantly reduced IL‑1 and TNF‑α levels, although IP metformin appeared to be significantly more effective at reducing IL‑6 levels compared with oral metformin. Neither the oral or IP route of administration of metformin demonstrated a significant effect on IL‑17 levels. Based on its ability to suppress the proinflammatory LPS‑induced cytokine storm, metformin may have future potential benefits in ameliorating human diseases caused by elevated cytokine levels.
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September-2023
Volume 26 Issue 3

Print ISSN: 1792-0981
Online ISSN:1792-1015

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Spandidos Publications style
Taher I, El‑Masry E, Abouelkheir M and Taha AE: Anti‑inflammatory effect of metformin against an experimental model of LPS‑induced cytokine storm. Exp Ther Med 26: 415, 2023.
APA
Taher, I., El‑Masry, E., Abouelkheir, M., & Taha, A.E. (2023). Anti‑inflammatory effect of metformin against an experimental model of LPS‑induced cytokine storm. Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine, 26, 415. https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2023.12114
MLA
Taher, I., El‑Masry, E., Abouelkheir, M., Taha, A. E."Anti‑inflammatory effect of metformin against an experimental model of LPS‑induced cytokine storm". Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine 26.3 (2023): 415.
Chicago
Taher, I., El‑Masry, E., Abouelkheir, M., Taha, A. E."Anti‑inflammatory effect of metformin against an experimental model of LPS‑induced cytokine storm". Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine 26, no. 3 (2023): 415. https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2023.12114