Fig. 1

Metformin increases protein turnover in gastrocnemius muscle of Walker 256 tumour-bearing rats. a Right gastrocnemius muscle was pre-incubated for 30 min at 37 °C, in KHB buffer. Then, muscle was incubated for 2 h at 37 °C in KHB containing 0.5 μCi/mL L-[2,3,4,5,6-³H] Phenylalanine. Phenylalanine incorporated into muscle proteins represents protein synthesis rate. b Left gastrocnemius muscle was preincubated for 30 min at 37 °C in KHB buffer; then, additional incubation (2 h at 37 °C) in KHB containing 0.5 mM cycloheximyde; tyrosine released in incubation medium represents protein degradation rate. c Ratio between incorporated phenylalanine and released tyrosine was defined as protein turnover rate. Legend: C, control rats; W, Walker 256 tumour-bearing rats; M, metformin-treated rats (33 mg/Kg); WM, Walker 256 tumour-bearing rats treated with metformin (33 mg/Kg). Number of animals per group = 6. Columns represent mean ± SD. *p < 0.05 vs C; **p < 0.01 vs C; ##p < 0.01 vs W