# Use of insulin sensitizers to offset skeletal muscle dysfunction during immobility

> **NIH NIH R21** · UTAH STATE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM--UNIVERSITY OF UTAH · 2021 · $190,625

## Abstract

Abstract
Hospitalizations for disease, injury, and/or surgery in older adults are likely to impair physical mobility and,
therefore, the older adults capacity to be physically active both during hospitalization and beyond. The resulting
sedentary lifestyle is likely to be accepted as the new normal, ultimately increasing the risk of skeletal muscle
dysfunction (e.g. sarcopenia).
Muscle atrophy and loss in strength is an unfortunate consequence with disuse in older adults. We have
observed with our bed rest studies in healthy older adults that in addition to muscle and strength changes,
there is a substantial increase in skeletal muscle inflammation and an upregulation of enzymes related to de
novo ceramide biosynthesis. The accumulation of local inflammation and ceramide, a toxic lipid intermediate,
can impair muscle growth. Metformin treatment may attenuate muscle loss by blunting inflammatory pathways
and ceramide accumulation. Though metformin has traditionally served as an insulin sensitizer, its use as a
preventive strategy to maintain muscle health during a period of physical inactivity in older adults has not been
investigated.
Therefore, we have proposed to conduct a clinical study in older adults to test whether metformin treatment
during bed rest will attenuate muscle atrophy, weakness and muscle inflammatory mechanisms. These
findings will be foundational in the development of novel treatments, such as metformin, to prevent muscle
dysfunction in older adults during disuse periods.!

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9982170
- **Project number:** 5R21AG064576-02
- **Recipient organization:** UTAH STATE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM--UNIVERSITY OF UTAH
- **Principal Investigator:** Micah J Drummond
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $190,625
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-08-01 → 2023-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9982170

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9982170, Use of insulin sensitizers to offset skeletal muscle dysfunction during immobility (5R21AG064576-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9982170. Licensed CC0.

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