The lipid profile of individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus and the effects of metformin and metformin-sulfonylurea: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background and Aims: Metformin decreases blood glucose levels and improves the lipid profile via influencing the
liver's gluconeogenesis and lipogenesis processes. On the other hand, sulfonylurea may contribute to an already
elevated risk of cardiovascular disease by making lipid profiles worse. Given the widespread use of metformin and
sulfonylurea in Indonesia, we are interested in learning if these two medications significantly alter the lipid profiles
of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Methods: The 88 individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus who were required to take metformin or metforminsulfonylurea for at least a year were the subjects of a cross-sectional research. Fasting for at least 8 hours prior to
blood sample was requested of those taking metformin (n=37) or metformin-sulfonylurea (n=51). Using a
conventional enzymatic approach, we evaluated the lipid characteristics from blood samples of the individuals.
Findings: The two groups of participants were identical with respect to all baseline parameters. Although there was
no statistically significant difference between the metformin and metforminsulfonylurea groups, we did find that
total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and triglyceride levels were lower in the metformin group and HDL-cholesterol
levels were higher (p>0.05). Neither treatment differed significantly from the other in any parameter of the
multivariate analysis, both before and after confounder adjustment. Only a rise in body mass index substantially
accounted for the observed rise in triglyceride levels.
The results show that after using metformin or a combination of metformin and sulfonylurea for at least a year, there
are no statistically significant changes in lipid profiles.