Metformin reduces the signs of sarcopenia in old OXYS rats

Abstract

The increasing prevalence of sarcopenia dictates the need to develop effective strategies for its prevention. Mimetics of caloric restriction, including the antidiabetic biguanide metformin (MF), are considered as promising geroprotectors, which comprehensively affect the processes of aging. The evaluation of the ability of MF to influence the signs of sarcopenia in senescence-accelerated OXYS rats under treatment with MF (100 or 300 mg/kg, daily, with feed) at the age of 19–24 months, when the signs of sarcopenia are already present, was performed. The effects of MF on the muscular strength of the rats and the structural and functional parameters of skeletal muscle were investigated using light microscopy. It was shown that the drug slowed the age-related atrophy of muscle bundles due to slowing the necrosis of the individual fibers, suppressed sclerotic changes in skeletal muscle and hypertrophy of connective tissue of the perimysium with a greater effect on the endomysium, and significantly improved the blood supply and metabolism in the fibers. As a result of MF treatment, qualitative characteristics and quantitative parameters for the structure of skeletal muscle of OXYS rats came close to that of Wistar rats, leading to an increase of muscle strength of the rats and the absence of the characteristic senile weight loss.