Evaluation of systemic and brain pharmacokinetic parameters for repurposing metformin using intravenous bolus administration

Metformin's potential in treating ischemic stroke and neurodegenerative conditions is of growing interest. Yet, the absence of established systemic and brain pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters at relevant preclinical doses presents a significant knowledge gap. This study highlights these PK parameters and the importance of using pharmacologically relevant preclinical doses to study pharmacodynamics in stroke and related neurodegenerative diseases. A liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry method to measure metformin levels in plasma, brain, and cerebrospinal fluid was developed and validated. In vitro assays examined brain tissue binding and metabolic stability. Intravenous bolus administration of metformin to C57BL6 mice covered a low- to high-dose range maintaining pharmacological relevance. Quantification of metformin in the brain was used to assess brain PK parameters, such as unidirectional blood-to-brain constant (Kin) and unbound brain-to-plasma ratio (Kp, uu, brain). Metformin exhibited no binding in the mouse plasma and brain and remained metabolically stable. It rapidly entered the brain, reaching detectable levels in as little as 5 minutes. A Kin value of 1.87 ± 0.27 μL/g/min was obtained. As the dose increased, Kp, uu, brain showed decreased value, implying saturation, but this did not affect an increase in absolute brain concentrations. Metformin was quantifiable in the cerebrospinal fluid at 30 minutes but decreased over time, with concentrations lower than those in the brain across all doses. Our findings emphasize the importance of metformin dose selection based on PK parameters for preclinical pharmacological studies. We anticipate further investigations focusing on PKs and pharmacodynamics in disease conditions, such as stroke. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: The study establishes crucial pharmacokinetic parameters of metformin for treating ischemic stroke and neurodegenerative diseases, addressing a significant knowledge gap. It further emphasizes the importance of selecting pharmacologically relevant preclinical doses. The findings highlight metformin's rapid brain entry, minimal binding, and metabolic stability. The necessity of considering pharmacokinetic parameters in preclinical studies provides a foundation for future investigations into metformin's efficacy for neurodegenerative disease(s).