Journal of Hematology, ISSN 1927-1212 print, 1927-1220 online, Open Access
Article copyright, the authors; Journal compilation copyright, J Hematol and Elmer Press Inc
Journal website http://www.thejh.org

Review

Volume 5, Number 2, June 2016, pages 41-48


Potential Benefits of Metformin Use in Sickle Cell Anemia

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1. Mechanisms of metformin action inside the target cell. Metformin is transported into the cells through organic cation transporters (OCTs). Inside the cell, it inhibits complex 1 of mitochondrial respiratory chain, mitochondrial glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (mGPD) and AMP deaminase (AMPD), and stimulates the formation of AMPK heterotrimeric (αβγ) complex. Metformin can inhibit mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) through AMPK activation or through RAG GTPase inhibition. Green arrows denote stimulatory action while red arrows denote inhibitory action.
Figure 2.
Figure 2. Summary of the effects of metformin on interconnected pathophysiologic processes in SCA. Green arrows denote stimulatory action while red arrows denote inhibitory action.