PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Shegem, Nadima S. AU - Nasir, Abeer M. AU - Jbour, Abdel-Kareem AU - Batieha, Anwar M. AU - El-Khateeb, Moh'd S. AU - Ajlouni, Kamel M. TI - Effects of short term metformin administration on androgens in normal men DP - 2002 Aug 01 TA - Saudi Medical Journal PG - 934--937 VI - 23 IP - 8 4099 - http://smj.org.sa/content/23/8/934.short 4100 - http://smj.org.sa/content/23/8/934.full SO - Saudi Med J2002 Aug 01; 23 AB - 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.