Effect of Metformin on Carbohydrate and Lipoprotein Metabolism in NIDDM Patients

The effect of metformin treatment on various aspects of carbohydrate and lipoprotein metabolism has been defined in 12 patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). Patients were studied before and after ∼ 4 mo of metformin therapy. Treatment was initiated with a single dose of 500 mg/day, increased at weekly intervals, and maintained at a final dose of 2.5 g/day (given at divided intervals) for the last 3 mo of the treatment program. Results demonstrated that both fasting and postprandial glucose concentrations were significantly lower after metformin administration, with the greatest change seen after meals. As a result, the total incremental plasma glucose response above basal measured from 0800 to 1600 after metformin was P