Effect of Metformin on Carbohydrate and Lipoprotein Metabolism in NIDDM Patients

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Abstract
The effect of metformin treatment on various aspects of carbohydrate and lipoprotein metabolism has been defined in 12 patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). Patients were studied before and after ∼ 4 mo of metformin therapy. Treatment was initiated with a single dose of 500 mg/day, increased at weekly intervals, and maintained at a final dose of 2.5 g/day (given at divided intervals) for the last 3 mo of the treatment program. Results demonstrated that both fasting and postprandial glucose concentrations were significantly lower after metformin administration, with the greatest change seen after meals. As a result, the total incremental plasma glucose response above basal measured from 0800 to 1600 after metformin was P < 0.01) decrease in plasma triglyceride concentration and an increase in plasma high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration. These results indicate that metformin treatment of patients with NIDDM led to an improvement in both glycemic control and lipoprotein metabolism.