Metformin modifies glutamine metabolism in an in vitro and in vivo model of hepatic encephalopathy.

Aim: to analyze the effect of metformin on ammonia production derived from glutamine metabolism in vitro and in vivo.

Methods: twenty male Wistar rats were studied for 28 days after a porto-caval anastomosis (n = 16) or a sham operation (n = 4). Porto-caval shunted animals were randomized into two groups (n = 8) and either received 30 mg/kg/day of metformin for two weeks or were control animals.