Evidence that metformin exerts its anti-diabetic effects through inhibition of complex 1 of the mitochondrial respiratory chain

MR Owen, E Doran, AP Halestrap - Biochemical journal, 2000 - portlandpress.com
MR Owen, E Doran, AP Halestrap
Biochemical journal, 2000portlandpress.com
Although metformin is widely used for the treatment of non-insulin-dependent diabetes, its
mode of action remains unclear. Here we provide evidence that its primary site of action is
through a direct inhibition of complex 1 of the respiratory chain. Metformin (50 μ M) inhibited
mitochondrial oxidation of glutamate+ malate in hepatoma cells by 13 and 30% after 24 and
60 h exposure respectively, but succinate oxidation was unaffected. Metformin also caused
time-dependent inhibition of complex 1 in isolated mitochondria, whereas in sub …
Although metformin is widely used for the treatment of non-insulin-dependent diabetes, its mode of action remains unclear. Here we provide evidence that its primary site of action is through a direct inhibition of complex 1 of the respiratory chain. Metformin (50 μM) inhibited mitochondrial oxidation of glutamate+malate in hepatoma cells by 13 and 30% after 24 and 60 h exposure respectively, but succinate oxidation was unaffected. Metformin also caused time-dependent inhibition of complex 1 in isolated mitochondria, whereas in sub-mitochondrial particles inhibition was immediate but required very high metformin concentrations (K0.5, 79 mM). These data are compatible with the slow membrane-potential-driven accumulation of the positively charged drug within the mitochondrial matrix leading to inhibition of complex 1. Metformin inhibition of gluconeogenesis from L-lactate in isolated rat hepatocytes was also time- and concentration-dependent, and accompanied by changes in metabolite levels similar to those induced by other inhibitors of gluconeogenesis acting on complex 1. Freeze-clamped livers from metformin-treated rats exhibited similar changes in metabolite concentrations. We conclude that the drug's pharmacological effects are mediated, at least in part, through a time-dependent, self-limiting inhibition of the respiratory chain that restrains hepatic gluconeogenesis while increasing glucose utilization in peripheral tissues. Lactic acidosis, an occasional side effect, can also be explained in this way.
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