The Influence of Metformin on Age-Related Changes in the Number and Proliferation of Dermal Fibroblasts in Mice

The goal of the work was to examine the effects of metformin on age-related changes in the number and proliferation of dermal fibroblasts in mice. The dermis was examined in 5-month-old mice that received drinking water with metformin at a concentration of 500 mg/L from the age of 2 months (within 90 days). Five-month-old mice that received drinking water without metformin were used as a control. Material from 2-month-old mice was also used in the work. We have counted the total number of dermal fibroblasts and a portion of fibroblasts with positive staining for the Ki-67 antigen. The results showed that there was a decrease in the total number of mouse dermal fibroblasts by 42.3% from two up to 5 months of life and in the proportion of fibroblasts with positive staining for Ki-67 by 12%. The total number of dermal fibroblasts in 5-month-old mice was 13.4% lower under the effect of metformin. The proportion of fibroblasts with positive staining for Ki-67 was reduced by 27.3% as compared to animals that did not receive metformin. Thus, the age-related decrease in dermal fibroblasts of mice is due to the decline in their proliferation activity. Metformin has an inhibitory effect on the proliferation of dermal fibroblasts in mice.