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Metformin decreases platelet superoxide anion production in diabetic patients
Author(s) -
Gargiulo P.,
Caccese D.,
Pignatelli P.,
Brufani C.,
De Vito F.,
Marino R.,
Lauro R.,
Violi F.,
Di Mario U.,
Sanguigni V.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
diabetes/metabolism research and reviews
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.307
H-Index - 110
eISSN - 1520-7560
pISSN - 1520-7552
DOI - 10.1002/dmrr.282
Subject(s) - superoxide , metformin , platelet , medicine , diabetes mellitus , endocrinology , chemistry , biochemistry , enzyme
Background Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus are usually treated with oral antidiabetic agents but it is still not known whether these drugs have antioxidant effects in humans. Methods We studied 60 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, divided into three groups on the basis of hypoglycaemic treatment (Group A: metformin, Group B: glibenclamide, Group C: diet). All patients were followed for at least 1 year. The three subgroups had similar clinical characteristics. Twenty healthy subjects, of comparable sex and age, were enrolled as controls. In each subject, platelet production of superoxide anion (O 2 − ) elicited by collagen, was determined by lucigenin assay. Results Patients with diabetes had higher platelet O 2 − production than controls; no correlation was observed between blood glucose and platelet O 2 − production. Group A patients had platelet O 2 − production similar to that of healthy subjects but lower than Group B and Group C patients. Conclusion The present findings suggest an in vivo antioxidant activity of metformin and warrant prospective studies to further explore this hypothesis. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.