Comment on Xu et al. Effects of Metformin on Metabolite Profiles and LDL Cholesterol in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes. Diabetes Care 2015;38:1858–1867
Abstract
In the task of alluding to the mode of action of metformin, Xu et al. (1) examined 131 fasting serum metabolites in three independent cross-sectional cohort studies. The authors found decreased concentrations of three metabolites (acyl-alkyl phosphatidylcholines [PCs]) in patients with type 2 diabetes treated with metformin compared with control groups not using glucose-lowering oral medication. The reduction of these metabolites was associated with lower plasma concentrations of LDL cholesterol, which was partially mediated by the three PCs. Statistical analyses suggested that the reduced PC concentrations were explained by metformin’s effect on AMPK in …
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a cross-sectional, done in people. Its evidence level is 4 of 5 (Low · observational). Observational designs can show an association but not prove cause.
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