“Metformin-Resistant” Folic Acid Producing Probiotics or Folic Acid against Metformin’s Adverse Effects like Diarrhea

Publication date: Available online 8 July 2017
Source:Medical Hypotheses
Author(s): Abdullah Olgun
Metformin, first line medication in the treatment of type2 diabetes by millions of patients worldwide, causes gastrointestinal adverse effects (i.e. diarrhea) in approximately 30% of patients, frequently leading to discontinuation. Interestingly, metformin was reported to increase life span in a microscopic worm, Caenorhabditis elegans, by decreasing folate and methionine production of bacteria that this worm uses as a food source. Metformin can be expected to have a similar effect on some microorganisms of human gut microbiota. This can disturb the balance of gut microbiota and cause gastrointestinal adverse effects by altering folate production of some types of bacteria and suppress their growth. Metformin resistant probiotics can be discovered or generated by artificial evolution/selection,and used to prevent these adverse effects. These patients can also be managed with folate supplementation.



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