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Horm Metab Res 2006; 38(8): 513-517
DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-949522
Original Clinical

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Metformin Increases Blood Flow and Forearm Glucose Uptake in a Group of Non-obese Type 2 Diabetes Patients

F. O. Magalhães 1 , L. M. B. Gouveia 1 , M. T. C. G. Torquato 1 , G. M. G. F. Paccola 1 , C. E. Piccinato 1 , M. C. Foss 1
  • 1Medical School, UNIUBE (Uberaba University), Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Further Information

Publication History

Received 11 August 2005

Accepted after second revision 27 March 2006

Publication Date:
29 August 2006 (online)

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Abstract

The present study was designed to determine the effects of metformin on the forearm glucose uptake and blood flow after an oral glucose challenge. Eleven normal subjects, and ten non-obese type 2 diabetes patients without medication of anti-hyperglycemic drug and with medication of metformin for four weeks, were studied after an overnight fast (12-14 h) and 3 hours after ingestion of 75 g of glucose. Peripheral glucose metabolism was analyzed by the forearm technique combined with indirect calorimetry. The forearm glucose uptake increased in diabetes patients taking metformin (63.5±9.1 vs. 39.1±5.3 mg/100 ml FA. 3 h). The increase of forearm glucose uptake was due to increase of blood flow. The glucose oxidation was greater in the group treated with metformin, compared to the same group without anti-hyperglycemic drug (19.3±2.6 vs. 7.7±2.6 mg/100 ml FA. 3 hrs). The free fatty acids were higher in diabetes patients, which normalized after taking metformin. In conclusion, it was found that in these participants metformin acts in insulin resistance; it increases glucose muscle uptake and blood flow. The enhancement of blood flow and lower free fatty acids, not described yet, could be direct effects of the drug or due to reduced glucose toxicity. These positive effects must be responsible for the improvement in vascular function.

Key words

Metformin - blood flow - free fatty acids - glucose uptake - muscle metabolism - forearm technique

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Correspondence

Fernanda Oliveira Magalhães

Medical School·UNIUBE (Uberaba University)

Av. Nenê Sabino, 1801·CEP: 38055-500·Uberaba·Minas Gerais·Brazil

Phone: +55/34/33 19 89 33

Fax: +55/34/33 33 57 58

Email: fernanda.magalhaes@uniube.br

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