Cited by 86Metabolism, Diabetes, and CancerPharmacogenetics and Drug MetabolismDrug Transport and Resistance Mechanisms

Subcellular Distribution of Metformin in Rat Liver

Wilcock, Carol, Wyre, N D, Bailey, C J·1991·Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology

Abstract

The subcellular localization of metformin was studied in livers of 18 h fasted rats treated orally with [14C]metformin 20 microCi kg-1, 50 mg kg-1. Sequential determination of 14C radioactivity showed that maximum concentrations of metformin in plasma (about 15 mumol L-1) and liver (about 50 mumol kg-1) were achieved at 30-60 min and approximately half-maximal concentration were achieved at 4 h. At 30 min and 4 h after administration of [14C]metformin, livers were removed and homogenized. Nuclear, mitochondrial and lysosomal, mixed membrane, and cytosolic fractions were separated by ultra-centrifugation. Distribution of 14C was similar at both time points, being greatest in the cytosolic fraction (78% of total radioactivity, and 60-69% of relative specific activity). Small amounts of 14C were associated with the other fractions. The total radioactivity and relative specific activity were respectively 2-3% and 7-8% in the nuclear fraction, 9-10% and 7-10% in the mitochondrial and lysosomal fraction, and 8-9% and 13-14% in the mixed membrane fraction. The higher concentration of metformin in liver compared with plasma suggests that metformin enters hepatocytes via a specific mechanism, and is distributed mainly within the cytosol.

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Crossref · 10.1111/j.2042-7158.1991.tb03507.x

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  • In Hepa1-6 cells exposed to 75 or 1000 μM metformin, no inhibitory effects were seen on activities of complex I-IV, and subcellular distribution indicated metformin remained primarily in the cytosol with mitochondrial levels less than 70 μM.

    “even following exposure to 1000 μM, no inhibitory effects were seen on the activities of complex I-IV, and the subcellular distribution of metformin indicated that metformin remained primarily in the cytosol with levels in mitochondria less than 70 μM (139).”

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Authors
Wilcock, C., Wyre, N. D., & Bailey, C. J.
Affiliations
Aston University (GB)
Corresponding author
Bailey, C J
Venue
Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology
Published
1991-06-01
Volume
43
Issue
6
Pages
442-444
ISSN
  • 0022-3573 (ISSN-L)
  • 2042-7158
OpenAlex
W2102986036
Cited by
86
References
10
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 7 · 2021: 9 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 4 · 2017: 3 · 2016: 2 · 2015: 4 · 2014: 6
FWCI
0.78
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Metabolism, Diabetes, and Cancer
  • Life Sciences › Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics › Pharmacology › Pharmacogenetics and Drug Metabolism
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Oncology › Drug Transport and Resistance Mechanisms
Keywords
metformin, subcellular localization, liver, hepatocytes, cytosol, mitochondrial fraction, nuclear fraction, lysosomal fraction, oral administration, pharmacokinetics
MeSH terms
Animals, Liver, Male, Metformin, Rats, Inbred Strains, Subcellular Fractions, Rats

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