Metformin Proven Effective in Reducing Insulin Needs for Type 1 Diabetes
# Century-Old Medicine Proven Effective in Managing Type 1 Diabetes
## Clinical trial demonstrates the benefits of metformin in reducing insulin requirements
A recent clinical trial has revealed that metformin, a medication that has been in use for over a century, significantly aids in managing type 1 diabetes by decreasing the amount of insulin required by patients. This study involved 40 adults diagnosed with long-term type 1 diabetes who were assigned to take either metformin or a placebo over a six-month period.
The clinical trial employed a sophisticated method known as a clamp study to assess any alterations in insulin resistance among participants. “We randomised 40 adults with long-term type 1 diabetes to take either metformin or a placebo for six months. We examined whether their insulin resistance changed over that time through a sophisticated and comprehensive research technique, called a clamp study, that allowed us to map insulin resistance in different parts of the body,” explained Professor Greenfield.
The findings not only support the efficacy of metformin in reducing insulin dependence but also highlight its potential impact on gut health. Dr. Snaith noted, “There is increasing evidence suggesting that metformin may act on the gut. This is why we are now investigating how metformin changes gut flora, also known as the microbiome, in people with type 1 diabetes. This has not been studied before in type 1 diabetes. We're hoping this will provide clues on metformin's mechanism of action, so that it can be more widely used in the management of type 1 diabetes.”
This groundbreaking research opens new avenues for the effective treatment of type 1 diabetes, underscoring the necessity for further exploration into how established medications can be repurposed to enhance patient care.