Effects of buformin on the metabolism of the isolated haemoglobin-free perfused hindlimb of normal rats

Using the isolated, haemoglobin-free, perfused resting hindlimb of normal rats buformin neither had a direct insulin-like effect on glucose uptake by muscle tissue nor potentiated the effect of insulin on glucose uptake after oral pretreatment for one or several days with low and high doses (30 mg–350 mg/kg). Effects on glycogenolysis could not be detected. Glycerol release was inhibited after several days of pretreatment with low and high doses of buformin. The utilization of added oleate was also partly inhibited. The level of energy rich phosphates in the muscle tissue and oxygen consumption were not affected under any of the conditions used in these experiments.