The effects of metformin on endothelium function and insulin resistance in patients with hypertension

Objective To investigate the effects of metformin on endothelium function and insulin resistance in patients with hypertension. Methods Eighty-three patients with hypertension were randomly divided into control group and metformin group(metformin 0.25 g, bid). Each group were treated with the antihypertensive therapy. Blood pressure, blood biochemistry,fasting blood glucose,fasting blood insulin and FMD were measured before and after 8 days and 90 days of treatment. Results HOMA-IR of metformin group were improved after three months treatment from(4.25±1.75)to(2.01±0.85), FMD of metformin group were improved after three months treatment from(5.30±2.09)to(8.68±2.35). There was no significant difference to the effect of the decrease of hypertension between the two groups. Conclusions Metformin could directly improve endothelium function and reduce insulin resistance in patients with hypertension. Key words: Metformin; Insulin resistance; Hypertension