Metabolic Effects of Metformin in Non-Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus

• Published in: The New England journal of medicine Vol. 333; no. 9; pp. 550 - 554
• Main Authors: Stumvoll, Michael, Nurjhan, Nurjahan, Perriello, Gabriele, Dailey, George, Gerich, John E
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Boston, MA Massachusetts Medical Society 31-08-1995
• Subjects: Adipose tissue; Antidiabetics; Biological and medical sciences; Blood Glucose - metabolism; Body composition; Body Composition - drug effects; Body weight; Body weight loss; Calorimetry; Carbohydrates; Chromatography; Diabetes; Diabetes mellitus; Diabetes Mellitus - metabolism; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - metabolism; Diet; Drug dosages; Energy; Energy expenditure; Energy metabolism; Energy Metabolism - drug effects; Fatty acids; FDA approval; Female; Gluconeogenesis; Glucose; Glucose - metabolism; Glycated Hemoglobin A - metabolism; Hemoglobin; Hormones. Endocrine system; Humans; Hypoglycemia; Insulin; Insulin resistance; Lactates - metabolism; Lactic Acid; Male; Medical sciences; Metabolism; Metformin; Metformin - pharmacology; Middle Aged; Muscle, Skeletal - metabolism; Obesity; Oxidation; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Skeletal muscle; Studies; Veins & arteries; Endocrinopathy; Human; Obesity; Body weight; Nutrition disorder; Metabolism; Non insulin dependent diabetes; Case study; Hypoglycemic agent; Chemotherapy; Treatment; Biguanides; Nutritional status; Gluconeogenesis
• ISSN: 0028-4793; 1533-4406
• DOI: 10.1056/NEJM199508313330903

The metabolic abnormalities of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) are generally acknowledged to result from a combination of insulin resistance and impaired insulin secretion.
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Since 1975, when the biguanide phenformin was withdrawn from the market,
2
the only drugs available to treat NIDDM orally in the United States have been sulfonylureas, which act primarily by improving insulin secretion.
3
Another biguanide, metformin, has recently been approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Although metformin is as effective as the sulfonylureas,
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the drugs differ in several respects: metformin reduces insulin resistance without directly affecting insulin secretion,
4
,
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causes weight loss rather than weight gain, . . .