title: Biguanides. A review of history, pharmacodynamics and therapy.
abstract: This review on biguanides gives a general survey of biguanide actions on many metabolic models in vivo and in vitro. It focuses especially on the comparison of the 3 antidiabetic biguanides, of which metformin is discussed as the only oral antidiabetic biguanide useful in treatment of type-II diabetes with a minimum risk of side effects when applied in a well controlled regime. Pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, hypotheses on the molecular mode of action, and implications for therapy are discussed.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001645:Biguanides / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D002621:Chemistry; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / Q000378:metabolism; D005943:Gluconeogenesis / Q000187:drug effects; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D007408:Intestinal Absorption / Q000187:drug effects; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D051381:Rats
chemical_list: D001645:Biguanides; D007328:Insulin; D005947:Glucose