This study is designed to investigate the effects of metformin, a commonly prescribed first line medication for diabetes and recommended for prediabetes, on the levels of the potentially tissue damaging reactive product (MG) in the blood and its cleared counterpart in the urine (IMZ). The study will involve patients with elevated HbA1c randomized to receive either metformin or a similar inactive placebo pill and a group of sex and age matched volunteers without diabetes. Study participants will be recruited from the University of Arizona Medical Center, South Campus clinics (Endocrine clinic, family medicine clinic and general medicine clinic). Eighty patients with HbA1c \>6.0% will be randomized to receive either metformin or a similar inactive placebo for 6 weeks. The response of these patients will be compared to 40 patients normal HbA1c \<5.6% who will not receive either study medication. Investigators will compare the plasma MG and urine IMZ concentration/content between the 3 groups before and after the 6-week intervention. It is hypothesized that plasma MG level in the metformin treatment group will be less than in the group taking the placebo pills, while there will be no significant difference in MG level between the metformin treatment group and the volunteers without diabetes.
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Plasma methylglyoxal (MG) concentration (μM)
Timeframe: Change from baseline in plasma MG concentration at 6 weeks of metformin administration