As research continues into myelin regeneration treatments, which could theoretically slow, prevent or even reverse the progression of MS, diabetes drug Metformin has shown potential for MS treatment in animals, with a human trial planned for the near future. Interestingly, the study into the effects of Metformin on rats focuses in particular on whether more myelin can be created where the subject is fasting on alternate days.
We often here it said that “there has never been a better time to have multiple sclerosis”, but for those of us living with this condition, that can seem at best a little insensitive, and at worst, rather offensive. However, in terms of the number of ongoing research projects and the new and more effective treatments, including those for progressive forms of MS, there may be some truth in that statement.
In October 2019, the MS Society in the U.K. launched the “STOP MS” Appeal, a highly ambitious project that aims to raise £100 million for MS research, with the goal that by 2025, they will be in the final stages of testing treatments for all forms of MS, slowing or stopping disability progression. Of course, OMS wholeheartedly supports this vital research and eagerly awaits the time when no one living with MS has to fear their future.
One example of research with such potential has just been published in the journal “Cell Stem Cell”, by a team of researchers based in Melbourne, Australia and Cambridge U.K. They present some extremely interesting early work on the potential roles of fasting and a commonly prescribed diabetic treatment, as a treatment for MS.
It is thought that one of the main factors leading to MS progression is that over time the body loses its ability to regenerate myelin – the fatty coating around many nerve cells that is attacked in MS. Without this protective coating the nerve itself is then subject to damage and eventually death, in a process called axonal loss. If we could then develop a treatment to make more myelin, then it could be possible to slow or prevent progression, and perhaps even reverse disability.
We know that the myelin making cells (oligodendrocytes) come from a type of stem cell called oligodendrocyte progenitor cells or OPCs. It is these cells that are critical to remyelination, but as we age, the OPCs seem less able to activate and differentiate into oligodendrocytes. If you could turn this process on again, then more myelin could be made, and the therapeutic potential would be huge.
So, now to the matter in hand. Metformin belongs to a class of drugs called biguanides, used in the treatment of type II diabetes because it changes the way in which the body stores and releases glucose; by mimicking the natural processes involved in fasting. This is the key concept behind this study – would OPCs reactivate and make more myelin in a fasted state?
In this rat model, mature animals were fed metformin in their drinking water for 3 months, and then given an injection that caused focal demyelination – essentially causing rat MS. The metformin was then continued and the responses observed. In those rats given the treatment, there was significantly more remyelination than in those that were exposed to the “MS injection” without being given metformin. They effectively demonstrated that metformin could reverse the ageing effect on OPCs and induce remyelination.
Interestingly, the team found almost identical results in terms of remyelination when the rats were put through a regimen of alternate day fasting – meaning that they were severely calorie restricted every other day for 6 months.
The topic of fasting in general is gaining huge scientific interest, given its potential in treating many conditions from metabolic disease such as diabetes, to cancer and even MS. If you are interested in learning more, I can highly recommend the book “The Longevity Diet” by Dr. Valter Longo, who leads a team at UCSF investigating the mechanisms and potential benefits of fasting, and discusses the various different forms, including the fasting mimicking diet, time restricted eating and intermittent fasting, amongst others. There is also an ongoing trial in intermittent fasting and MS, based at the University of Washington, the findings of which we will of course share with the OMS community when available.
The results of this metformin study were so striking that there are now plans for a human clinical trial to start in 2020. I am well aware that many readers will have the feeling that “we’ve heard this all before” and may be frustrated that to date there are still no remyelination treatments available. It is important then, to note that Prof. Robin Franklin who leads the team behind the work at the Wellcome-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, and is director of the MS Society Centre for Myelin Repair, described these results as “one of the most significant advances in myelin repair therapies there has ever been”. It isn’t that uncommon to hear such hyperbole from a lead researcher when discussing their work, but it is rather less common for them to be so emphatic as to say “I am very optimistic that this is going to work”.
At OMS we always talk about the importance of having hope when living with MS; realistic hope, that things can and will get better. I hope that reading this today has given you just a little more.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.stem.2019.08.015https://www.theguardian.com/science/2019/oct/02/diabetes-drug-offers-hope-new-treatment-multiple-sclerosishttps://www.mssociety.org.uk/research/latest-research/latest-research-news-and-blogs/diabetes-drug-metformin-promotes-myelin-repair-in-ratshttps://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/07/180709152658.htm