Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 7, 2026

Evaluation of Hepatic Glucose Production in a Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Mouse Model
Published on: March 5, 2022
Metformin therapy improves coronary microvascular function in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome and insulin
Semra Topcu1, Derya Tok, Mustafa Caliskan
1Department of Cardiology, Baskent University, Konya Teaching and Medical Research Centre, Konya, Turkey.
Background:
Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are thought to have increased cardiovascular risk. Metformin therapy reduces whole-body insulin resistance (IR) in patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus (DM).
Objective:
As insulin resistance accompanying PCOS may be reversed by metformin therapy, we hypothesized that metformin therapy might improve coronary microvascular functions in women with PCOS and IR.
Patients And Methods:
We treated 16 women with PCOS and IR with metformin, and measured coronary flow reserve (CFR) at the beginning and after 6 months of metformin therapy using transthoracic second-harmonic Doppler echocardiography.
Results:
At the end of the 6 months of metformin therapy, baseline coronary diastolic peak flow velocity (DPFV) did not change significantly (from 24.6 +/- 4.3 to 23.0 +/- 3.1, P = 0.106); however, hyperaemic coronary DPFV (from 68.2 +/- 12.7 to 74.5 +/- 9.7, P = 0.08), and CFR (from 2.75 +/- 0.48 to 3.3 +/- 0.5, P = 0.016) was significantly improved by metformin therapy.
Conclusion:
In women with PCOS, coronary microvascular function and CFR are significantly improved by 6 months of therapy with metformin.
Related Concept Videos
Oral Hypoglycemic Agents: Biguanides and Glitazones
Type II Diabetes II: Pathophysiology
Diabetes Mellitus: Type 2 and Gestational
Diabetes: Management and Pharmacotherapy
Insulin remains the cornerstone of treatment for most patients with type 1 and many...
Insulin: Dosing Regimen and Adverse Effects
The basal dose constitutes about 40%-50% of the total daily dose, with the rest as premeal insulin. The mealtime insulin dose should mirror...
Type I Diabetes II: Pathophysiology