March 2016 Vol. 4 No.3

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Original Research Article

Metformin Improves Insulin Secretion and Reduces Insulin Resistance in People at High Risk for Development of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Cardiovascular Disease

Kamenova P^1*, Atanasova I² and Kirilov G³

¹Department of Diabetology, Clinical Center of Endocrinology and Gerontology, Medical University, Sofia, Bulgaria
²Clinical Laboratory, Clinical Center of Endocrinology and Gerontology, Medical University, Sofia, Bulgaria
³Laboratory of radioimmune assay, Clinical Center of Endocrinology and Gerontology, Medical University, Sofia, Bulgaria

*Corresponding author’s E-mail: kamenovap@abv.bg
Tel: +359-888343952

Accepted February 29, 2016

Abstract

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of metformin on insulin secretion and insulin resistance in hyperinsulinaemic normal glucose tolerant people with metabolic syndrome who represent a high-risk group for development of type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease. Fifty two participants of mean age 40.1±14.2 yrs were included in an open-label prospective one year observational clinical study in which plasma glucose, serum insulin during a 3-h oral glucose tolerance test, Glucose/Insulin ratio (G/I), Quantitative Insulin Sensitivity Check Index (QUICKI) and Homeostasis Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) at three months intervals following metformin treatment were evaluated. The results showed that fasting serum insulin, 3-h post glucose load (PGL) serum insulin and HOMA-IR significantly reduced at 6, 9 month and at 1 year. Fasting plasma glucose, 1-h and 2-h PGL serum insulin significantly decreased at 3, 6, 9 month and at 1 year. Fasting G/I significantly increased at 9 month and at 1 year. 1-h G/I and QUICKI significantly increased at 3, 6, 9 month and at 1 year. 2-h and 3-h G/I significantly increased at 6, 9 month and at 1 year of metformin treatment (all p<0.001). In conclusion, metformin restores physiological insulin secretion and reduces insulin resistance in hyperinsulinaemic normal glucose tolerant people with metabolic syndrome and could be considered as a therapeutic option for prevention of type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease.

Key Words: Hyperinsulinaemia, Insulin Secretion, Insulin Resistance, Metabolic Syndrome, Metformin, Normal Glucose Tolerance, Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus