Metformin for treating peripheral artery disease-related walking impairment (MERIT) (Old ID 24975)
Role
Chief Investigator
Description
Blockage of the lower limb arteries (peripheral artery disease; PAD) leads to severe leg pain, walking impairment, and a substantial risk of leg amputation and death. Approximately 200 million people worldwide and approximately 1 million Australians have blocked leg arteries. This problem has recognised treatment deficiencies in comparison to other common diseases, including the absence of effective medications to increase blood supply to the legs, reduce leg pain, improve walking ability and reduce the risk of major amputation. Multiple lines of evidence suggest that metformin, a cheap and safe medication, promotes formation of new vessels, improves microcirculation and muscle function, and limits pain. In preliminary studies, metformin significantly increased blood supply to the limb of a pre-clinical model of blocked leg arteries. We have also associated metformin prescription with a 4-fold reduction in the rate of major lower limb amputation in patients with blocked arteries. This placebo-controlled, randomised clinical trial will examine the efficacy of metformin in improving walking ability in patients with blocked leg arteries over 6 months. Positive findings from this trial will identify a new treatment for a problem that affects 10-20% of adults aged over 50 years.
Date
01 Jul 2019 - 30 Jun 2021
Project Type
GRANT
Keywords
peripheral artery disease;Clinical Trial;Medication
Funding Body
Heart Foundation
Amount
75000
Project Team
Joseph Moxon