Key result
Metformin fails to alter follistatin or oxyntomodulin levels vs placebo in women with PCOS.
Why the study?
The impact of metformin on circulating oxyntomodulin levels in patients with PCOS was unknown.
Does metformin alter follistatin and oxyntomodulin levels in patients with PCOS?
RCT (n=45)
Double-blind
Parallel
Yes
Does metformin alter follistatin and oxyntomodulin levels in patients with PCOS?
Absolute Event Rate: 0.02% vs -0.02%
p-value: p=0.497
Metformin treatment for 60 days did not significantly alter follistatin and oxyntomodulin levels in patients with PCOS.
Metformin does not alter follistatin or oxyntomodulin in PCOS; challenges their proposed role as mediators of its benefits.
Background: Abnormal secretion of incretins, particularly Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), and oxyntomodulin (OXM), have been observed in individuals with Type 2 diabetes mellitus and PCOS. OXM plays a crucial role in metabolism, including reducing food intake and improving insulin secretion to decrease liver fat accumulation. Metformin, an insulin-sensitizing hypoglycemic drug, is widely used in the PCOS treatment. However, the impact of metformin on circulating OXM levels remais unknown, and this study aims to investigate it. Design: This study presents a secondary analysis of a randomized double-blind clinical trial. Methods: Forty-five patients with PCOS were enrolled and randomly divided into two groups: one received metformin (n=21), and other received placebo (n=24). The study aimed to evaluate the levels of follistatin and oxyntomodulin before and after metformin tretament (1500mg/day). Blood levels of oxyntomodulin and follistatin were assessed by ELISA tests. Results: At the end of the study, 20 patients were evaluated, including 5 (25%) from the metformin group and 15 (75%) from the placebo group. There was no significant difference in the variation of follistatin and oxyntomodulin levels between the metformin and placebo groups. However, a significant difference in follistatin levels was observed among participants with hyperandrogenic and non-hyperandrogenic phenotypes. There was no significant difference in oxyntomodulin levels in different phenotypes. Conclusion: Treatment with metformin for 60 days did not have a impact on follistatin and oxyntomodulin levels. However, a significant difference was found in follistatin values between participants with hyperandrogenic and non-hyperandrogenic phenotypes. Trial registration: Brazilian Registration Platform for Clinical Studies - REBEC -ID RBR-47tvky – Date of fist registration: 04/07/2017/ Brazilian Health Ministry- ID 17127713.2.0000.5149.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Damasceno et al. (2023) conducted an RCT in Polycystic ovary syndrome (n=45). Metformin vs. Placebo was evaluated on Variation in follistatin levels (p=0.497). Treatment with metformin for 60 days did not significantly alter follistatin or oxyntomodulin levels compared to placebo in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: