Abstract

Metformin reduces blood glucose levels predominantly by inhibiting hepatic gluconeogenesis, although it also may enhance insulin receptor number or activity. The full effects of metformin are still poorly understood. In this study the effects of metformin on plasma xanthine oxidase (XO) activity, thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance (TBARS), lactate and fructosamine concentration as well as erythrocyte antioxidant enzyme activities were investigated in 46 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. All parameters were measured simultaneously just before metformin therapy (T₀), 1 month (T₁) and 2 months (T₂) later. Results were compared with placebo and control group. We noted significant decrease in XO activity and in TBARS concentration (p<0.001) during monotherapy with metformin vs. placebo and T₀ group. A significant correlation was observed between the activity of XO and the concentration of fructosamine (p<0.001). Erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase showed significantly lower activity in T₂ group in comparison with T₀ group (p<0.01). It is known that diabetic patients produce more TBARS as a result of enhanced free radical generation the source of which may also be the large amounts of XO produced following the conversion of xanthine dehydrogenase in hypoxic diabetic tissues. Thus, our results indirectly suggest that metformin can reduce toxic tissue damage through the inhibition on XO activity.