Metformin Enhances Autophagy and Normalizes Mitochondrial Function to Alleviate Aging-Associated Inflammation

Metformin improves CD4+ T cell autophagy and mitochondrial respiration, ameliorating a newly defined inflammaging profile that echoes inflammation in diabetes. Metformin-sensitive defects in immune cell autophagy accompany natural aging in people, shift mitochondrial bioenergetics, and fuel a previously unappreciated Th17 inflammaging profile. The ability of metformin to trigger the anti-inflammation cascade justifies phase IV clinical trials on the potential of metformin to alleviate the generally negative consequences of age-related inflammation.