title: Metformin for the treatment of hyperandrogenism in adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A high prevalence of hyperandrogenism has been reported in women with type 1 diabetes (T1D). Metformin has been used as a therapeutic agent in patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome and in T1D patients without hyperandrogenism. This study sought to determine the effect of metformin on hyperandrogenism and ovarian function in adolescents with T1D.
  
  
  METHODS
  We recruited 24 girls with T1D. The participants had hyperandrogenism and displayed suboptimal metabolic control. The patients were enrolled in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. One group received metformin (850 mg bid) and the other group received a placebo. Treatment was administered for 9 months. Ovulation, steroids and gonadotropin levels were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Metformin treatment was associated with decreases in testosterone, free androgen index, androstenedione, 17-OH progesterone and estradiol levels. The girls who were treated with placebo showed stable steroid, gonadotropin and sex hormone-binding globulin levels during the analysis. No differences were observed in the Ferriman-Gallwey scores, ovulation rates, HbA1c levels or daily insulin doses of the girls treated with metformin compared with the placebo group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Treating hyperandrogenic T1D adolescents with metformin significantly decreased the serum androgens compared to the placebo, but metformin therapy did not significantly affect clinical parameters, such as hirsutism, ovulation and metabolic control.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Maternal and Child Research, School of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile.
authors.forename: Ethel
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Codner
authors.forename: Germán
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Iñíguez
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: López
authors.forename: Verónica
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Mujica
authors.forename: Francisca C
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Eyzaguirre
authors.forename: Sylvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Asenjo
authors.forename: Isabel
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Torrealba
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cassorla
mesh_terms: D019326:17-alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone / Q000097:blood; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000738:Androsterone / Q000097:blood; D048909:Diabetes Complications / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006062:Gonadotropins / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D017588:Hyperandrogenism / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008687:Metformin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010060:Ovulation / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D006062:Gonadotropins; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D019326:17-alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone; D008687:Metformin; D000738:Androsterone