Effects of short term metformin administration on androgens in diabetic men.

OBJECTIVE Metformin, an oral hypoglycemic agent, has several other metabolic and hormonal effects. This study aims at identifying the metabolic effect of metformin on androgens in diabetic men. METHODS The study was conducted at The National Center for Diabetes Endocrinology and Genetics, Jordan University Hospital, Amman, Jordan from April 2001 to September 2001. We studied 15 men with type 2 diabetes mellitus by measuring fasting serum glucose, insulin, glycosylated hemoglobin, total and free testosterone, sex hormone binding globulin, dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate, 17-OH progesterone, luteinizing hormone, and follicle stimulating hormone before and after a short course of metformin. RESULTS There was a significant decrease in fasting serum glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin and increase in the level of 17-OH progesterone. The remainder of the measured parameters did not show any significant change. Although serum glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin decreased insulin levels were not changed. CONCLUSION In contrast to normal men there was no change in androgen levels in diabetics but the 17-OH progesterone was elevated.