Effect of Metformin Therapy on Serum Fetuin Levels in Insulin Resistant Type 1 Diabetics

Curr Diabetes Rev. 2018;14(3):291-297. doi: 10.2174/1573399813666170112151108.

Abstract

Introduction: Insulin resistance may develop with Type 1 diabetes. Insulin resistance is currently recognized by the estimated glucose disposal rate. Serum fetuin has been accused as a risk factor for metabolic syndrome.

Aim: To determine the relationship between the serum fetuin and insulin resistance in Type 1 diabetes subjects and the effect of short-term Metformin therapy on this relationship.

Methods: 40 T1DM male ≥ 18 years of age were screened for insulin resistance (defined using estimated glucose disposal rate). 20 subjects (Group I) were insulin resistant with a mean estimated glucose disposal rate of (7.15±0.37 mg/kg/min) while 20 subjects (Group II) were non-insulin resistant with a mean estimated glucose disposal rate of (9.08±0.42 mg/kg/min). Fasting blood sugar, 2 hours-post prandial blood sugar, HbA1c%, C-peptide, lipid profile, highly sensitive-C reactive protein, and serum fetuin were assessed. Group I were given 1gm Metformin twice daily for 3 months as an add-on to their insulin regimen. All anthropometric and laboratory parameters were reassessed at the end of the 3 months.

Results: Group I had a higher age, BMI and waist/hip ratio, FBS, PPBS, HbA1c%, TC, LDL-C, TG, Hs-CRP and serum fetuin (ρ ≤ 0.001), and a lower C-peptide (ρ=0.001). Fetuin showed a positive correlation with age, FBS, HbA1c%, and Hs-CRP. After Metformin therapy, FBS, PPB and HbA1c%, Hs- CRP and fetuin decreased (ρ≤0.001) while eGDR and insulin dose in units/kg increased (ρ <0.001). Correlation after Metformin therapy within Group I showed that eGDR was inversely related with FBS and PPBS and fetuin showed a positive correlation with Hs-CRP.

Conclusion: Serum fetuin was elevated in insulin resistant T1DM, yet this was not associated with eGDR. Levels of fetuin-A and HsCRP decreased after Metformin therapy.

Keywords: Diabetes mellitus type 1; HsCRP; cardiovascular diseases; estimated glucose disposal rate; fetuin-A; insulin resistance..

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Blood Glucose / metabolism
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / blood
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / complications
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / drug therapy*
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / metabolism*
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Fetuins / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Insulin / administration & dosage
  • Insulin Resistance*
  • Male
  • Metabolic Syndrome / complications
  • Metabolic Syndrome / drug therapy*
  • Metabolic Syndrome / metabolism
  • Metformin / therapeutic use*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Blood Glucose
  • Fetuins
  • Insulin
  • Metformin