METFORMIN DOES NOT ALTER DIABETES INCIDENCE IN THE NOD MOUSE

In insulin-dependent (type 1)diabetes mellitus, increasing peripheral insulin sensitivity might be a useful approach in controlling the proc ess leading to beta cell destruction by reducing insulin output and th ereby reducing the antigenicity associated with its release. The aim o f this study was to investigate whether the use of a biguanide, Metfor min, which has been suggested to increase insulin sensitivity, was cap able of modifying the natural history of diabetes in a model of type 1 diabetes, the non-obese diabetic (NOD) mouse, Using age-, sex- and li tter-matched groups, three groups of 32 animals each were treated with Metformin in their drinking water at a high dose of 200 mg/kg body we ight and at a low dose of 20 mg/kg body weight; the third group of mic e acted as controls. Diabetes incidence at 30 weeks of age was similar in all groups. No significant differences in the calculated index of insulitis were observed in treated or control animals. We conclude tha t Metformin does not affect the disease process leading to clinical di abetes in this animal model.