ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Metformin, an oral hypoglycemic agent, has several other metabolic and hormonal effects. This study aims at identifying the metabolic effect of metformin on androgens in diabetic men. METHODS: The study was conducted at The National Center for Diabetes Endocrinology and Genetics, Jordan University Hospital, Amman, Jordan from April 2001 to September 2001. We studied 15 men with type 2 diabetes mellitus by measuring fasting serum glucose, insulin, glycosylated hemoglobin, total and free testosterone, sex hormone binding globulin, dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate, 17-OH progesterone, luteinizing hormone, and follicle stimulating hormone before and after a short course of metformin. RESULTS: There was a significant decrease in fasting serum glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin and increase in the level of 17-OH progesterone. The remainder of the measured parameters did not show any significant change. Although serum glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin decreased insulin levels were not changed. CONCLUSION: In contrast to normal men there was no change in androgen levels in diabetics but the 17-OH progesterone was elevated.
Subject(s)
Androgens/metabolism , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/drug therapy , Gonadotropins/metabolism , Hypoglycemic Agents/administration & dosage , Metformin/administration & dosage , Administration, Oral , Adult , Androgens/blood , Blood Glucose , Case-Control Studies , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/diagnosis , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Drug Administration Schedule , Follow-Up Studies , Gonadotropins/blood , Humans , Hypoglycemic Agents/adverse effects , Male , Metformin/adverse effects , Middle Aged , Probability , Reference Values , Sampling Studies , Severity of Illness Index , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of metformin on androgens in normal men. METHODS: A total of 12 healthy males volunteered to participate in the study. A blood sample was obtained from each of them and analyzed for the following: Testosterone (total and free), sex hormone binding globulin dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, luteinizing hormone, and follicle stimulating hormone. In addition, each participant was subjected to a glucose tolerance test and his insulin level was measured. Metformin 850 mg twice daily for 2-weeks was given to each subject after which the above tests were repeated. A paired t-test was used to assess the statistical significance of any observed differences before and after metformin. RESULTS: After metformin administration, there was a significant reduction in serum level of total testosterone (p=0.0001), free testosterone (P=0.002), and 17 hydroxyprogesterone (p=0.0001). There was also a significant increase in serum level of sex hormone binding globulin (p=0.009) and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (P=0.0008). Serum levels of luteinizing hormone and follicle stimulating hormone showed no significant changes. Similarly, there were no changes in fasting plasma glucose, fasting serum insulin, weight, or blood pressure. CONCLUSION: Metformin administration was associated with a reduction in total testosterone, free testosterone, and 17-hydroxyprogesterone and an increase in sex hormone binding globulin and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate in normal males. The clinical significance of these findings needs further investigation.
