Metformin in SARS-CoV-2 infection: A hidden path - from altered inflammation to reduced mortality. A review from the literature

• Main Author: Pedrosa, Ana Realista
• Publication Date: 2023
• Other Authors: Martins, Diana Cruz, Rizzo, Manfredi, Silva-Nunes, José
• Format: Article
• Language: eng
• Source: Repositórios Científicos de Acesso Aberto de Portugal (RCAAP)
• Download full: https://hdl.handle.net/10316/114176; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdiacomp.2022.108391
• topic: Metformin; SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19; Diabetes; Mortality; Severity; Humans; SARS-CoV-2; Inflammation; COVID-19; Metformin; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2

SARS-CoV-2 infection has been a major threat to human health and a huge challenge to Medicine. In only two years, COVID-19 affected >350 million people, causing >5.6 million deaths. Chronic inflammatory states, such as diabetes or obesity, are known risk factors for COVID-19 poorest outcomes, with higher risk for disease severity and greater mortality. Metformin remains on the first line of the management of hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetes. Through its anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory mechanisms, metformin appears as an opportunity to control the dysregulated cytokine storm secondary to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Recent studies point towards a potential protective role of metformin in the course of COVID-19, showing that current or previous treatment with metformin associates with better outcomes.