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Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 2014; 122(10): 568-571
DOI: 10.1055/s-0034-1382048
Article
© J. A. Barth Verlag in Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

The Effect of Metformin on Androgen Production in Diabetic Women with Non-classic Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia

R. Krysiak
1   Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
,
B. Okopien
1   Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

received 05 May 2014
first decision 22 May 2014

accepted 30 May 2014

Publication Date:
23 July 2014 (online)

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Abstract

Non-classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia (NC-CAH), one of the most common genetic disorders, is often associated with the clinical features of hyperandrogenism. This study included 19 women with recently diagnosed and previously untreated type 2 diabetes, 8 of whom suffered from NC-CAH, treated with metformin (2.55–3.0 g daily). Glucose homeostasis markers, plasma lipids, as well as plasma levels of 17-hydroxyprogesterone, androgens and gonadotropins were assessed at baseline and after 6 months of therapy. In both groups of patients, metformin reduced fasting plasma glucose, insulin resistance, triglycerides and glycated hemoglobin. Moreover, in patients with NC-CAH, but not in women with normal adrenal function, metformin decreased plasma levels of 17-hydroxyprogesterone, total and free testosterone, androstenedione and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate. The obtained results suggest that metformin partially normalizes androgen production in symptomatic patients with NC-CAH.

Key words

adrenal cortex - congenital adrenal ­hyperplasia - hormones - metformin
 

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