Metformin -Its dynamics on suppression of hyperandrgenaemia

 

 Metformin -Its dynamics on suppression of hyperandrgenaemia

Are we at SE Asia , sub optimally utilizing the overall benefits of metformin in hyperandrogenic PCO women ??  Tthe non-carbohydrate actions  of metformin in PCO women ?  Several data suggest that metformin does counteract  on hyperandrogenism by interfe­ring both with direct and specific mechanisms on peripheral androgen-secreting organs and with free androgen fraction-regulating systems.

Metformin, acroding to them has many beneficial effects in PCO women which are still unexplored. It (metformin) is far from just an promoter of glucose entrance in cells.

In fact, many a researchers in last two decades have claimed that metformin  exerts followings in addition tomaking her euglycemic  :--

  A) It  reduces ovarian androgens

B)  it reduces adrenal secretion of androgens,

C)  it reduces pituitary secretion of LH, and

D) Metformin independently increases liver SHBG production.

All such actions are independent of beneficial effects of glucose entry  !!  All these taken together make Metformin as an important adjunct drug if we believe that PCO  is  principally a hyperandrogenic disorder of any etiology.  There seem to be still  many other  mechanisms that is  mediated by  met­formin in the face  on hyperandrogenism .

The research on the misc effects of metformin which  is a relatively new concept  is limited . I believe the reason is that assay of insulin and bioactive androgens  are usually non available  to clinicians. As such scanty studies have been undertaken by clinicians