Beyond diabetes: harnessing the power of metformin in burn care

Abstract

Burn injuries are complex and devastating traumas that trigger a profound systemic metabolic response, characterized by hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, and a hypermetabolic state. Notably, hyperglycemia is a critical determinant of worse prognoses in burn patients. While insulin has long been the gold standard for managing post-burn hyperglycemia, its therapy is associated with a risk of hypoglycemic events, which can exacerbate morbidity and compromise patient outcomes. As such, investigation of alternative therapeutics is warranted to improve glycemic control while mitigating associated risks. Recently, metformin, a first-line therapy for the treatment of type II diabetes, has emerged as a potential therapeutic agent for the management of post-burn hyperglycemia as well as other burn injury sequelae. This review examines the mechanistic underpinnings of metformin, its potential application in managing post-burn hyperglycemia, and its comparative advantages over other hypoglycemic agents. Additionally, we examine the broad spectrum of metformin’s pleiotropic effects in the context of burn injury–extending beyond glycemic control to include attenuation of muscle catabolism, suppression of lipolysis, regulation of non-shivering thermogenesis, support of mitochondrial and immune function, enhanced wound healing, and its potential role in addressing burn-induced acceleration of biological aging. Taken together, we discuss how metformin represents a paradigm shift in burn care, with the potential to substantially improve patient outcomes.