Evidence mapPaperPMID 40041289Full record

ArticleFrontiers in endocrinology2025

Metformin-mediated intestinal AMPK activation ameliorates PCOS through gut microbiota modulation and metabolic pathways.

Yating Xu, Li Ning, Yu Si, Xiu Li, Ruyue Wang, Qingling Ren

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Frontiers in endocrinology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 12 papers, 3 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
12citing papers in PubMed, 3 pooled it
field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

12 citing papers in PubMed, 3 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.

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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Yating XuThe Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China.
Li NingThe Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China.
Yu SiThe Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China.
Xiu LiThe Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China.
Ruyue WangThe Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China.
Qingling RenThe Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Introduction: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex disorder characterized by metabolic and ovulatory dysfunctions, often associated with an imbalance in gut microbiota. Despite current treatments, effective management strategies targeting underlying mechanisms remain limited. Methods: In this study, we used a rat model of PCOS induced by letrozole and a high-fat diet. The effect of intestinal AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activation was evaluated through metformin administration, the most commonly used AMPK activator. We analyzed metabolic parameters, ovulatory functions, gut microbiota composition, and serum levels of Indole-3-carboxaldehyde (I3A), a metabolite involved in inflammation and apoptosis regulation. Results: Metformin treatment significantly reversed metabolic disorders and restored ovulatory functions in PCOS rats. Moreover, metformin treatment led to notable improvements in gut microbiota composition and an increase in serum I3A levels, which have been shown to mitigate inflammation and apoptosis. Discussion: This study highlights the therapeutic potential of targeting intestinal AMPK in managing PCOS. By improving both metabolic and reproductive health, activation of AMPK may offer a promising approach for restoring physiological balance in PCOS patients.

Indexed as

AMP-Activated Protein KinasesGastrointestinal MicrobiomeHypoglycemic AgentsIntestinesMetabolic Networks and PathwaysMetforminPolycystic Ovary SyndromeAnimalsDiet, High-FatDisease Models, AnimalFemaleLetrozoleRatsRats, Sprague-DawleyAMP-Activated Protein KinasesHypoglycemic AgentsLetrozoleMetforminAMP-activated protein kinasegut microbiotaIndole-3-carboxaldehydepolycystic ovary syndromeserum metabolites

Identifiers

PMID40041289
PMCPMC11876036

What Socratic holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.