Effects of Metformin Monotherapy on Metabolic Parameters in Japanese Patients With Type 2 Diabetes

Abstract

Background: Although metformin is widely used as the foundation therapy for patients with type 2 diabetes, effects of metformin monotherapy on metabolic parameters have not been sufficiently elucidated.

Methods: We retrospectively picked up type 2 diabetic patients who had been treated by the first metformin monotherapy for more than 3 months, at National Center for Global Health and Medicine between January 2015 and October 2018.

Results: Twenty-two patients were eligible. Systolic blood pressure, plasma glucose, HbA1c, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), aspartate transaminase (AST), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were significantly reduced by the 3-month metformin monotherapy. Further, we divided subjects into two groups with body mass index (BMI) of 25 or more and less than 25, and compared changes in metabolic parameter due to metformin monotherapy between BMI >= 25 and BMI < 25 groups. HbA1c and LDL-C were significantly reduced in both groups. Body weight significantly decreased only in BMI >= 25 group, and systolic blood pressure, AST and ALT tended to decrease only in BMI >= 25 group.

Conclusions: The metformin monotherapy improved glycemic control regardless of the presence or absence of obesity. Interestingly, metformin improved body weight, blood pressure and liver function in only overweight patients with type 2 diabetes.




J Endocrinol Metab. 2019;9(1-2):18-21
doi: https://doi.org/10.14740/jem549