New treatment possibility for pulmonary fibrosis

A popular oral medicine used to treat type 2 diabetes shows promise in the treatment — and even reversal — of pulmonary fibrosis, according to Pulmonary Fibrosis News.

Pulmonary fibrosis occurs when the lungs do not correctly repair damage from infections, exposure to toxic substances, chemotherapy, or autoimmune disease. Over time, the tissue becomes stiff, tough, and scarred which causes shortness of breath, coughing, fatigue, and can be fatal.

Researchers have found that pulmonary fibrosis patients have lower levels of an enzyme that works to get rid of damaged cells. Researchers used Metformin, a diabetes medicine, to increase levels of the enzyme. They have also paired the drug with Aicar, a metabolic regulator. In animal studies, the pair of drugs seemed to be able to slow or even reverse fibrosis.