Metformin environmental exposure: A systematic review.

Environmental toxicology and pharmacology 2021 Apr

filter terms:

This review discussed the occurrence, ecological impacts, and effects of metformin, a drug used for type 2 diabetes among other diseases. It is one of the most commonly found medicines in aquatic environments owing to its incomplete metabolism in the human body, and is eventually disposed in wastewater. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses were followed as a guide. After searching various databases, 48 eligible studies were selected for the review. Metformin reportedly occurs in different environmental matrices, as measurable concentrations of metformin are found in sewage (urban and hospital), influent/sludge/effluent from wastewater treatment plants, surface water (rivers, lakes, estuaries, oceans, and non-specific sources), tap/drinking water, and sediment (lake and recipient seawaters). Data on metformin detection in aquatic environments in 14 countries were studied, but a consensus on the risk patterns of pharmaceutical products was not determined. Many studies have been conducted on different test organisms, demonstrating that metformin can drive the expression of diverse genes, particularly those responsible for endocrine hormone pathways. Chronic exposure to metformin can be tested using models and other tools to understand this field, which remains largely unexplored. Our results contribute to the current ecotoxicology knowledge related to typically used drugs and provide a basis for further investigations. Copyright © 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Citation

Eliane Papa Ambrosio-Albuquerque, Luis Fernando Cusioli, Rosângela Bergamasco, Adriana Aparecida Sinópolis Gigliolli, Luara Lupepsa, Brennda Ribeiro Paupitz, Pablo Américo Barbieri, Luciana Andreia Borin-Carvalho, Ana Luiza de Brito Portela-Castro. Metformin environmental exposure: A systematic review. Environmental toxicology and pharmacology. 2021 Apr;83:103588