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.


CONCLUSIONS
In contrast to normal men there was no change in androgen levels in diabetics but the 17-OH progesterone was elevated.
Shegem
Nadima S
NS
National Center for Diabetes Endocrinology and Genetics, Jordan University Hospital, Amman, Jordan.
Alsheek Nasir
Abeer M
AM
Batieha
Anwar M
AM
El-Shanti
Hatem
H
Ajlouni
Kamel M
KM
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000728:Androgens / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D001786:Blood Glucose; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006062:Gonadotropins / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008687:Metformin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D011336:Probability; D012016:Reference Values; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000728:Androgens; D001786:Blood Glucose; D006062:Gonadotropins; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D008687:Metformin