AUTHOR=Ibrahim Sherehan , Lowe Jamie R. , Bramante Carolyn T. , Shah Surbhi , Klatt Nichole R. , Sherwood Nancy , Aronne Louis , Puskarich Michael , Tamariz Leonardo , Palacio Ana , Bomberg Eric , Usher Michael , King Samantha , Benson Brad , Vojta Deneen , Tignanelli Chris , Ingraham Nicholas TITLE=Metformin and Covid-19: Focused Review of Mechanisms and Current Literature Suggesting Benefit JOURNAL=Frontiers in Endocrinology VOLUME=12 YEAR=2021 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/endocrinology/articles/10.3389/fendo.2021.587801 DOI=10.3389/fendo.2021.587801 ISSN=1664-2392 ABSTRACT=

Metformin is the first-line medication for type 2 diabetes, but it also has a long history of improved outcomes in infectious diseases, such as influenza, hepatitis C, and in-vitro assays of zika. In the current Covid-19 pandemic, which has rapidly spread throughout the world, 4 observational studies have been published showing reduced mortality among individuals with home metformin use. There are several potential overlapping mechanisms by which metformin may reduce mortality from Covid-19. Metformin’s past anti-infectious benefits have been both against the infectious agent directly, as well as by improving the underlying health of the human host. It is unknown if the lower mortality suggested by observational studies in patients infected with Covid-19 who are on home metformin is due to direct activity against the virus itself, improved host substrate, or both.