Overview
- A peer-reviewed EMBO Molecular Medicine study reports metformin raised the exercise-linked molecule Lac-Phe to levels seen after hard workouts in men with prostate cancer.
- Lac-Phe forms when lactate from exertion combines with the amino acid phenylalanine, and prior work has tied it to reduced appetite and better weight control.
- The rise in Lac-Phe occurred without patients exercising and it persisted after hormone therapy began.
- Higher Lac-Phe did not track with changes in prostate-specific antigen, indicating no observed anti-tumor effect in this cohort.
- Researchers also saw Lac-Phe align more with weight changes than the hormone GDF-15 and, given the small sample of 29 patients, they call for larger studies to test clinical benefit.