THE EFFECTS OF METFORMIN ON THE CAPILLARY-PERMEABILITY TO ALBUMIN IN WOMEN PATIENTS WITH CYCLIC EDEMA

An experimental work has suggested the efficacy of metformin, an oral antidiabetic agent, on capillary permeability. This agent has been tes ted in 10 women patients with cyclic edema, 7 of them being obese. The capillary permeability to albumin studied by an isotope test derived from Landis's method was initially increased. After a mean of six-week s of treatment the albumin retention and an index demonstrating the in terstitial protein elimination through the lymph route were significan tly improved. Concomitantly, the swelling feelings were reduced in 8 c ases and the lower limb edema had decreased or disappeared in 8 of 9 p atients who initially presented these symptoms. The effects of metform in are beneficial and have been observed to be independent of glycemic change. The results suggest a special effect of this agent on the mic rocirculation, Nevertheless, a controlled study is required.