The effect of metformin on some liver function tests in type 2 diabetic patients

Objectives: To study the effect of metformin on serum glucose and some liver function testsincluding serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartateaminotransferase (AST) and bilirubin in type 2 diabetic patients.Design: Case-control study.Setting: The study was carried out in Al-Waffa centre for diabetes in Mosul, during the periodfrom March 2004 to December 2004.Participants: Fifty type 2 diabetic patients treated with metformin were included. In addition,two control groups were used, 50 nontreated diabetic patients and 50 apparently healthysubjects.Results: Serum glucose in metformin treated diabetics -was lower (P<0.05) than the nontreateddiabetics; however, ALP and ALT were higher (P<0.05) in the treated diabetics. At the sametime, AST and bilirubin did not change by metformin by using Duncan test.Conclusion: Metformin causes increase in some liver function tests. Therefore, patients treatedwith metformin should be periodically examined for the liver function tests.