Diabetic Oral Drugs Like Metformin Eased MS Symptoms in People with Both Diseases, Study Reports
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New research from Argentina explores the idea that controlling symptoms of type 2 diabetes (metabolic syndrome) can also beneficially impact multiple sclerosis (MS) disease progression. The study,“Immunologic Effects of Metformin and Pioglitazone Treatment on Metabolic Syndrome and Multiple Sclerosis,“ appeared March 7 in the journal JAMA Neurology.
Pioglitazone and metformin are oral medications used to treat type 2 diabetes. They can be used in combination with insulin to help control blood sugar levels, and may also have effects on reducing inflammation, which is a heightened immune response. MS is an autoimmune disease characterized by inflammation and immune cells attack to the body’s own myelin, an insulating substance that helps nerve cells to conduct impulses. There is increasing evidence that neuron death and loss of the axons that extend from neurons also occurs in MS, due to inflammation.
Having type 2 diabetes in addition to MS could greatly increase inflammation and exacerbate both the symptoms and the progression of the disease. In people with both diseases, controlling type 2 diabetes may help with MS symptoms.
Researchers, led by Laura Negrotto of the Department of Neurology, Dr. Raúl Carrea Institute for Neurological Research, Buenos Aires, wanted to know whether disease activity could be reduced by metformin and/or pioglitazone in patients with MS and metabolic syndrome (type 2 diabetes). To examine MS-associated lesions, they used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Researchers also analyzed blood markers for MS.
The research team studied a total of 50 MS and diabetic patients, with 20 of them being treated with metformin and 10 under pioglitazone treatment. The remaining 20 patients served as controls.
After six months, findings showed that both treatments resulted in a significant decrease in new or expanding MS-associated lesions. The treatments also reduced immune system markers that are typical of MS, including immune system cells and their production of molecules known as cytokines.
The researchers concluded, “Treatment with metformin and pioglitazone has beneficial anti-inflammatory effects in patients with MS and [metabolic syndrome] and should be further explored.”
Based on the study, clinicians with patients who have both MS and metabolic syndrome may consider the importance of treating metabolic syndrome and high blood sugar, based on its impact on MS disease progression.
Judy
Well that is just not true. Has no effect on my MS whatsoever. Metformin has side effects that horrible. When is there going to be real progress made on curing MS? These stories are useless fluff as they don't even really know why MS occurs. I don't know anyone who is on MS drugs that is having any success. Researchers need to start looking at the vascular system and then they may start to understand the disease.
Carol
I agree that there are too many fluff stories. But the vascular system has nothing to do with MS. And every person reacts differently to medications. You don't know enough people with MS then. I have SPMS and while I am still progressing, I do think that it has been slowed due to the DMT I've been on.
Ian Franks
I don't think it is correct to say that "it is just not true" based on just your own experience. The Argentina test was larger than one person and, even then, it calls for more research to be done.
A wildsmith
Hi having just read this topic it has made me wonder if it could be true I have taken metformin for about four years and for about the same time my ms has levelled out no big significant changes
Debra L Westberry
I'm taking metformin and have MS. I've been feeling really good except some fatigue. Maybe there's something to it. Maybe it's just that not having high blood sugar AND inflammation is an improvement
Tom
I've had MS since 1988. I'm secondary progressive with no disease activity, for about 5 years. Did betaseron since '95 and switched to ocrevus this year. I had done well with the MS. Now, I'm prediabetic too! I'm telling you, it's all just too much to keep track of. Guess I'll have to.
Dawne
I am wondering how long it took before everyone received the MS diagnosis and began treatment. I have been experiencing every MS symptom possible for well over a year now and cannot get a single physician tied down to a diagnosis. All I get is that it's autoimmune. In the meantime, in the span of three months I went from a diet controlled Type II diabetic to someone with a 10.5 A1C. And the symptoms are so hard to bear somedays. I just want a diagnosis so that I can start to treat it.
CAROL
Dawne,
Where are you located what State sounds similar to my story took years but due to variations of disease everyone is so different mine started after a bug bite and a possible virus within body eventually attacked neurological system I went to several different Doctor's even a Infectious Disease Specialist along with Rumatologist Gastrologist I also had so many test, have you had a Lumbar yet? I feel your pain.