The Effect of Metformin on Short-Chain Fatty Acid Levels in Patients with Chronic Heart Failure, Prediabetes, and Sarcopenia

Aim    To evaluate the effect of extended-release metformin (metformin long) on plasma concentrations of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), physical performance and muscle strength in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF), sarcopenia and prediabetes.
Material and methods    The study included 27 patients (mean age 68±9.8 years) with CHF, sarcopenia and prediabetes randomized into the groups of intervention (n=14) (metformin long + healthy lifestyle, HLS) and control (n=13) (HLS). Measurement of SCFA (C3, iC4, C4, αC5, βC5, C5, iC6, C6) concentrations, bioimpedancemetry, Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) test, and dynamometry were performed at the beginning of the study and after 6 months. R language and RStudio software were used for statistical analysis.
Results    The study groups were comparable in clinical characteristics. The SCFA concentrations were significantly increased, except for iC6. After 6 months of treatment, the SCFA concentrations were decreased, except for C5, iC6, C3. Metformin long improved the physical performance and strength index. The median SPPB score in the control group was 4 [3.0; 9.5] and in the metformin group, 9 [7.25; 9.75], p = 0.0014. In the control group, the change in Δ strength index was -4.65 [-11.09; 17.66], in the metformin group, 18.75 [8.17; 33.03], p = 0.031.
Conclusion    Metformin exerts a beneficial effect on plasma SCFA and physical performance in patients with prediabetes, CHF, and sarcopenia.

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