Effects of metformin on middle cerebral artery flow velocity in newly diagnosed type 2 Diabetic patients

Abstract

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a major cause of cerebrovascular disease. Risk of ischemic stroke is higher in diabetic patients and it is about 2-6 times that in normal population. Atherosclerotic lesions happen early in the disease and patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Transcranial Doppler can be used for examination of cerebral arteries and it can detect early atherosclerotic changes. Metformin an old oral anti-diabetic drug but still cornerstone in the treatment guidelines of type 2 diabetes mellitus. It improves endothelial function with preferable cardiovascular effects. Twenty patients were recruited for the study. Transcranial Doppler examination done for all patients before initiation of treatment. Patients received metformin for twelve weeks and they were re-examined with transcranial Doppler. The data of present study showed that a highly significant increase in diastolic velocity and mean flow velocity after treatment with significant reduction in pulsatility index and resistive index. In conclusion, metformin treatment increases cerebral diastolic flow velocity with reduction in vascular resistance in patients with type 2 diabetes.