The study carried out by researchers from the University of North Carolina, in the USA and published in 2019in the magazine Nature Immunologywarned that the use of metformin, a common diabetes drug, could eradicate HIV by attacking infected cells in the reservoir. Recently, this one that looks like a miraculous potionhas evidenced a surprising advance in the field of medicine and longevity, which also has a promising effect on slowing down aging.
But these days, we knew through a publication in the magazine Science led by immunologist Petronela Ancuta, from the research center the University of Montreal, what following the wake marked, apparently, by American researchers, this remedy against diabetes, could serve to attack HIV reservoirs, that is, the secret place where the disease takes shelter in the human body.
While it is true that all research on HIV is essential and should provide hope for patients with this pathology, treatments against diabetes now seem to have no end against all types of diseases. However, reality must be taken with caution.
If so, it would be an advance that could revolutionize thehe fight against one of the most devastating diseases of the 20th century. This finding undoubtedly opens up new therapeutic possibilities for the millions of people living with the virus and raises questions about the multiple applications of a drug that has been on the market for years.
What is metformin?
Metformin is one of the drugs oldest and most widely prescribed for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. This medication works by lowering blood glucose levels and improving insulin sensitivity. Due to its low cost and effectiveness, it has become a mainstay of diabetes treatment worldwide. However, more recent studies have revealed that its effects could go far beyond glycemic control.
What makes interesting metformin is its ability to modulate the immune response. Previous research had already shown that this medication has anti-inflammatory properties and can influence the activation of certain immune cells. This new study suggests that metformin may help limit the chronic activation of the immune system seen in people with HIVa process that not only accelerates the deterioration of the immune system, but is also associated with long-term complications.
Initial studies investigating the relationship between metformin and HIV were carried out in animal models and then in preliminary human clinical trials. The results showed that those patients with HIV who also took metformin They experienced a reduction in levels of systemic inflammation and greater stability in CD4+ T cells, suggesting that the drug could complement current treatments.
This discovery is especially relevant at a time when scientists are looking for ways to functionally heal HIVthat is, to keep the virus under control without the need for daily medication for life. Although antiretroviral treatments have transformed the lives of millions of people, the idea of a complete cure remains elusive.
What does this finding mean?
Although it is still early to consider metformin as a cure or alternative treatment for HIVthe results are promising. Scientists are now planning larger, more rigorous clinical trials to confirm these preliminary findings and determine the optimal dosage for use in HIV patients. If its effectiveness is confirmed, metformin could become a complementary treatment for antiretroviralsreducing the inflammatory impact of HIV and improving quality of life.
This finding also highlights the importance of investigating existing drugs for other applications. Metformin has been shown to have unexpected benefits in other areas, such as longevity and the treatment of some types of cancer..
Final thoughts
The discovery that metformin, a drug used for decades to treat diabetes, could be effective against HIV is a reminder that the scientific advance It does not always involve the creation of new medicines, but also the reinterpretation and reuse of existing ones. This finding could offer hope to millions of people and transform the medical approach to treating this disease.
If clinical trials confirm initial results, metformin could radically change the lives of those fighting HIV, expanding the possibilities for more effective treatment and, perhaps one day, a functional cure for the virus. Meanwhile, The scientific community will continue to explore all possible avenues to ensure the future is brighter for patients.
