Effects of short term metformin administration on androgens in diabetic men

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.