The researchers noted that certain drugs, including metformin, stimulate AMPK and suggested that adiponectin or metformin could be used to protect kidney function in obese persons, even those who did not have diabetes.

Rosiglitazone (Avandia) also increases adiponectin levels.

They also note that the human studies were done in nondiabetic obese African Americans, and there is not yet any evidence that it would be as beneficial in other groups.

This is just one study, so people shouldn't rush off and take lots of metformin in the hopes of preserving kidneys. But it does suggest that we shouldn't worry that metformin will harm our kidneys.

Read Dr. Bill Quick's post, "Metformin and the Risk of Lactic Acidosis," for more information on Metformin and kidneys.