Biguanides clinical studies

Clinical studies indicate a lipid-lowering effect of biguanides (metformin), particularly in patients with hyperlipoproteinaemia type IV (Gustafson et al., 1971 Descovich et al., 1978). A slight reduction in total serum cholesterol was also noted in non-diabetic hyperlipidaemia by Aro et al. (1985). In a double-blind cross-over study of 9 weeks duration with 1 or 2g metformin, cholesterol was reduced from 328 mg per 100 ml to 313 mg per 100 ml... 

A reduction in hyperinsulinaemia caused by metformin has been demonstrated in several clinical studies (Schatz et al., 1972 Hausmann and Schubotz, 1975 Ferlito et al., 1983). Sensitivity to insulin was also found to be increased after short-term biguanide treatment with phenformin, buformin and metformin. Biguanides increase both sensitivity to insulin and responsiveness in muscle and to a lesser extent in adipose tissue (Bailey et al., 1984). 

Clinical studies have been reported on the effects of hypogly cemlc biguanides on weight reduct ion.77-79 Recent studies suggest that tolerance develops within 16-32 weeks after Metformin therapy.77... 

Biguanides have been used for a variety of purposes in medical practice but their clinical importance is undoubtedly dominated by their valuable antimalarial and oral hypoglycemic properties. These functions have been closely studied in an effort to gain an imderstanding of the mode of... 

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