Metformin promotes Mycobacterium tuberculosis killing and increases the production of human β-defensins in lung epithelial cells and macrophages

Abstract Diabetes has been associated with an increased risk of developing tuberculosis. The reasons related to the increased susceptibility to develop TB in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) individuals, has not been completely elucidated. However, this susceptibility has been attributed to several factors including failures and misfunctioning of the immune system. In the present study, we aimed to determine the role of anti-hyperglycemic drugs such as glyburide, insulin, and metformin to promote the killing of mycobacteria through the regulation of innate immune molecules such as host defense peptides (HDP) in lung epithelial cells and macrophages. Our results showed that metformin reduces bacillary loads in macrophages and lung epithelial cells which correlates with higher production of β-defensin-2, -3 and -4. Since β-defensins are crucial molecules for controlling Mycobacterium tuberculosis growth, the present results suggest that the use of metformin would be the first choice in the treatment for T2DM2, in patients within tuberculosis-endemic areas.