(a–c) A comparison of miR-222, miR-195 and miR-21a levels in plasma for all groups. At baseline (TG V1), miR-222, miR-195 and miR-21a levels were significantly upregulated in the TG compared to healthy controls (CG). The levels of miR-222, miR-195 and miR-21a were all significantly reduced in the TG after metformin therapy (TG V2). The results are presented as the mean ± SEM. Within the TG and SG, the comparison was analyzed using the paired Student t-test. An unpaired Student t-test was used to compare the healthy controls and patients’ groups. Treatment group pre-metformin (TG V1), treatment group post-metformin (TG V2), standard group pre-observation (SG V1) and standard group post-observation (SG V2). * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01, *** p < 0.001.