Key Summary
- Scientists have discovered that metformin can stimulate the production of Lac-Phe, a molecule usually released during vigorous physical activity.
- The research specifically highlights benefits for prostate cancer patients who often struggle with weight gain and heart risks due to hormone therapy.
- While the drug mirrors certain metabolic signals of exercise, researchers emphasize it cannot fully replace the wide-ranging benefits of real physical activity.
A common diabetes medication taken by millions in the UK and across the world could provide the metabolic "signals" of intense exercise for those physically unable to work out.
New research from the University of Miami’s Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center suggests that metformin triggers the release of weight-regulating compounds usually only seen after a strenuous gym session.
The study focused on a specific molecule called N-lactoyl-phenylalanine (Lac-Phe).
This compound typically spikes in the bloodstream after high-intensity exercise and is closely linked to appetite suppression and calorie burning.
Interestingly, researchers found that patients taking metformin exhibited elevated Lac-Phe levels similar to those seen in people who had just performed "intense" exercise - even if the patients were sedentary.
The findings are particularly significant for men undergoing treatment for prostate cancer.
Hormone therapy, a standard treatment that blocks testosterone to slow tumour growth, often leads to unwanted side effects such as weight gain, poor blood sugar control, and an increased risk of heart disease.
For these patients, exercise is often difficult due to treatment fatigue or symptoms. "From a clinical standpoint, seeing a metabolic signal that mirrors what we associate with intense exercise was striking," said first author Dr. Marijo Bilusic.
The study, published in EMBO Molecular Medicine, showed that the elevated Lac-Phe levels persisted even after hormone therapy began, helping to support the patient's overall metabolic health.
While the drug successfully boosted metabolic markers, it did not have a direct effect on shrinking prostate cancer tumours.
Instead, the research highlights a shift toward "whole-patient" care. By using metformin to maintain strength and manage weight, clinicians can improve the quality of life for patients whose mobility is limited.
In the UK over 4 million currently live with Type 2 diabetes - and nearly 3 million already prescribed anti-diabetic drugs. The new finding on metformin’s role could expand beyond blood sugar management to become a vital tool for metabolic resilience in cancer care.
However, the team stressed that more research is needed and that the drug should still be viewed as a supplement to, rather than a total replacement for, physical movement where possible.
