Effects of Metformin on Body Weight Management and Markers of the Metabolic Syndrome in Persons with Normal Glucose Tolerance

Abstract

Treatment of the metabolic syndrome (MS) is essential for prevention of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and cardiovascular disease (CVD). The purpose of this open-label prospective one year observational clinical study was to examine the effects of metformin 2.55 ± 0.3 g/d on body weight management and markers of the MS in normal glucose tolerant persons with hyperinsulinaemia. Body weight was reduced by 6.8% at 6 months and by 11.1% at 1 year. The body weight reduction was 7.2 ± 3.4 kg at 6 months and 11.7 ± 4.7 kg (mean ± SD) at 1 year. We found a significant correlation of reduction of body weight at 1 year with initial body weight, body mass index, waist circumference and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), all p < 0:001. At 1 year of metformin treatment HOMA-IR, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, systolic and diastolic blood pressure were significantly reduced, all p < 0:001 and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol was significantly increased, p = 0:004. Our study shows that treatment with metformin alone, without intensive diet and physical activity, could reduce visceral obesity, insulin resistance, dyslipidaemia and arterial hypertension and supports the hypothesis that it could be applied for prevention of T2DM and CVD.