Efficacy of Metformin Therapy in Adolescent Girls with Androgen Excess: Relation to Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin and Androgen Receptor Polymorphisms

August 2010 in “ Fertility and sterility ”

Marta Díaz, Abel López‐Bermejo, Clive J. Petry, Francis de Zegher, Lourdes Ibáñez

metformin sex hormone–binding globulin androgen receptor polymorphisms SHBG androgen testosterone PCOS polycystic ovary syndrome

TLDR Metformin works better for adolescent girls with PCOS who have certain genetic variations.

The study investigated the effects of SHBG (TAAAA)n and AR (CAG)n allele lengths on endocrine-metabolic features and body composition in 70 adolescent girls with PCOS after 1 year of metformin therapy. Longer SHBG alleles were linked to improved lipid profiles, while longer AR alleles were associated with normalized androgen and lipid levels. Both longer alleles had an additive beneficial effect on SHBG, testosterone, and lipid levels. The study highlighted the potential of genotype-specific responses to metformin in managing PCOS symptoms.

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Metformin: An Old Medication of New Fashion: Evolving New Molecular Mechanisms and Clinical Implications in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

research Metformin: An Old Medication of New Fashion: Evolving New Molecular Mechanisms and Clinical Implications in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

200 citations, October 2009 in “European journal of endocrinology”

Metformin helps manage polycystic ovary syndrome by improving insulin resistance and ovulation, but more research is needed on its full effects.