Researcher(s)
- Chloe Kappen, Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware
Faculty Mentor(s)
- X. Lucas Lu, Mechanical Engineering, University of Delaware
Abstract
Introduction: Metformin is a common anti-inflammatory drug used to treat type two diabetes. The effects of metformin on cartilage are believed to have positive effects on articular cartilage, especially those already damaged by osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis decreases the levels of calcium signaling, due to its degenerative nature on cartilage. While there is extensive research on metformin as an orally ingested drug, there was insufficient evidence of its effect when applied to in vitro models. This study investigated the effects of metformin on preventing osteoarthritis through calcium signaling in bovine articular cartilage chondrocytes.
Methods: Bovine cartilage explants underwent a metformin treatment, analyzed at 30 minutes and 7 days. For the 7 day experiment, the media in each well was changed every other day. A concentration of 100uM metformin was used to treat the explants for both time periods. The explants were dyed with Calbryte™ 520 AM. A confocal microscope was used to capture the calcium signaling of the explants. The top 2 mm of a 3 mm biopsy of cartilage was used for each explant.
Results: After the 30 minute metformin treatment, the calcium signaling was greater than the control samples. After the 7 day treatment the calcium signaling of the explants treated with metformin were even greater than when treated for 30 minutes.
Conclusions: Metformin increased calcium signaling on 3mm biopsied bovine articular cartilage explants.
Significance: These findings provide insight to how metformin can be used to help prevent osteoarthritis clinically and provides a basis for further knowledge and research regarding the impact of metformin on calcium signaling in bovine articular chondrocytes.