Studies on the Site and Mechanism of Action of Phenformin: I. Evidence for Significant “Nonperipheral” Effects of Phenformin on Glucose Metabolism in Normal Subjects

Samuel L Hollobaugh; M Bhaskar Rao; Fred A Kruger

doi:10.2337/diab.19.1.45

Original Contribution

Studies on the Site and Mechanism of Action of Phenformin: I. Evidence for Significant “Nonperipheral” Effects of Phenformin on Glucose Metabolism in Normal Subjects

Samuel L Hollobaugh, M.D.,
M Bhaskar Rao, M.D. and
Fred A Kruger, M.D.

Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Ohio State University College of Medicine Columbus, Ohio

Requests for reprints may be addressed to Dr. Kruger, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Ohio State University Hospital, 410 West 10th Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43210.

Diabetes 1970 Jan; 19(1): 45-49. https://doi.org/10.2337/diab.19.1.45

Abstract

Oral and intravenous glucose tolerance tests were performed in ten normal subjects. Phenformin pretreatment flattened the glucose and insulin response to oral glucose loading but did not significantly alter the response to intravenous glucose. It is suggested that these results can best be explained by an inhibitory effect of the drug on the rate of intestinal glucose absorption.