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. 1989 Sep 15;262(3):881–885. doi: 10.1042/bj2620881

Hypoglycaemic effect of metformin in genetically obese (fa/fa) rats results from an increased utilization of blood glucose by intestine.

L Pénicaud 1, Y Hitier 1, P Ferré 1, J Girard 1
PMCID: PMC1133356  PMID: 2686622

Abstract

The insulin-resistant obese fa/fa rat is a convenient model in which to study a potential effect of metformin, a biguanide used in the treatment of non-insulin-dependent diabetes, on insulin-mediated glucose utilization. Female fa/fa rats were given metformin orally for 8 days. Studies were performed on anaesthetized post-absorptive rats 5 h after the last dose of metformin. Glucose production and utilization were enhanced 1.5-fold in metformin-treated rats. The enhanced glucose production was almost entirely due to increased glucose recycling. The digestive tract was the only tissue responsible for the enhanced glucose utilization.

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Selected References

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