Metformin attenuates production of nitric oxide in response to lipopolysaccharide by inhibiting MyD88-independent pathway.

Metformin is reported to ameliorate inflammation in diabetic patients. The effect of metformin on lipopolysaccharide-induced nitric oxide production was studied by using RAW 264.7 macrophage-like cells. The action of metformin was analyzed by dividing lipopolysaccharide signaling into the MyD88-dependent and -independent pathways. Metformin significantly reduced the expression of an inducible type of nitric oxide synthase and inhibited lipopolysaccharide-induced nitric oxide production. On the other hand, metformin did not inhibit lipopolysaccharide-induced tumor necrosis factor-alpha production. The expression levels of interferon-beta protein and mRNA, which is a key molecule in MyD88-independent pathway, were significantly inhibited by metformin. Compound C, a specific AMP-activated protein kinase inhibitor, did not affect the inhibitory action of metformin. Metformin was suggested to inhibit lipopolysaccharide-induced nitric oxide production via inhibition of interferon-beta production in MyD88-independent pathway. Metformin might exhibit an anti- inflammatory action on diabetic complications as well as the antidiabetic action.