Metformin Raises Exercise-Associated Metabolite Lac-Phe in Prostate Cancer Patients on Hormone Therapy

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 22:27:00 +0200

A new study from Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine found that the common diabetes drug metformin can increase levels of N-lactoyl-phenylalanine (Lac-Phe), a metabolite typically elevated after intense exercise. This effect was observed in prostate cancer patients, even when they were not physically active. Led by Dr. Marijo Bilusic and colleagues, the research published in EMBO Molecular Medicine shows that metformin mimics one key metabolic signal associated with exercise. Lac-Phe is produced when lactate combines with phenylalanine during periods of metabolic demand and has been linked to appetite regulation and weight control. In the study, patients taking metformin showed Lac-Phe levels similar to those seen after strenuous exercise, despite the metabolic disruptions caused by hormone therapy, which often leads to fatigue, weight gain, and increased cardiovascular risk. Importantly, the rise in Lac-Phe did not correlate with