title: [Effect of metformin on the expression of tumor necrosis factor-α, Toll like receptors 2/4 and C reactive protein in obese type-2 diabetic patients].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The pharmacological action of metformin goes beyond mere glycemic control, decreasing markers of inflammation and contributing to the reduction of oxidative stress.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate biochemical, anthropometric and pro-inflammatory markers in obese type 2 diabetic patients treated or not with metformin.
  
  
  METHODS
  Obese patients with type 2 diabetes were invited to participate in the study if they were aged more than 40 years, were not receiving insulin, did not have cardiovascular diseases and were not taking anti-inflammatory drugs. A pharmacological history was taken and patients were stratified in two groups whether they were using metformin or not. A fasting blood sample was obtained to measure blood glucose, insulin, lipid levels, C reactive protein (hsCRP) and to isolate peripheral blood mononuclear cells. RNA was isolated from these cells to measure expression of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), Interleukin-6 (IL-6), nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-kB), Toll-Like Receptor 2/4 (TLR 2/4) and beta-2-microglobulin (B2M).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty participants were studied. Of these, 16 subjects aged 54.4 ± 5.5years were treated with metformin and 14 subjects aged 54.9 ± 6.4 years did not receive the drug. Participants receiving metformin had lower levels of hsCRP and lower mRNA relative abundance of TNF-α and TLR 2/4. There were no differences in glucose levels or lipid profile between both groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Obese diabetic patients treated with metformin had lower levels of hsCRP expression of TNF-α and TLR 2/4, than their counterparts not receiving the drug.
authors.affiliation: Laboratorio de Micronutrientes, Instituto de Nutrición y Tecnología de los Alimentos, Universidad de Chile, Chile. monica.andrews@gmail.com
authors.forename: Mónica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Andrews
authors.forename: Néstor
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Soto
authors.forename: Miguel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Arredondo
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007249:Inflammation / Q000235:genetics; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008687:Metformin / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D051193:Toll-Like Receptors / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D015850:Interleukin-6; D051193:Toll-Like Receptors; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D008687:Metformin