Possible Interaction: Androstenedione and Metformin

“In addition, metformin induced an improvement of endocrine and anthropometric parameters in PCOS subjects by reducing glucose, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and androstendione , and by increasing dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (DHEA-S).”

“Only during metformin treatment did body mass index and androgen ( androstenedione and testosterone) levels decrease, whereas FSH and LH levels increased significantly.”

“Suppression of androstenedione was significant with both metformin doses, but there was no clear dose relationship.”

“The administration of metformin was associated with a significant reduction in the response of 17alpha-hydroxyprogesterone, testosterone, free testosterone, and androstenedione to ACTH.”

“Exposure to low (10-7 M) and high (10-4 M) doses of metformin for 7-10 days significantly reduced the conversion of androstenedione (ANDRO) and testosterone (TESTO) (both requiring aromatase), but not the conversion of oestrone or oestrone sulphate (ES) via 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/sulphatase to E2.”

“ Mean androstenedione , testosterone, and 17-hydroxyprogesterone levels and hirsutism score were significantly improved by metformin.”

“Conclusion: Metformin treatment may decrease the serum levels of androstenedione as well as the width and the nuclear volumes of the zona glomerulosa and of the zona reticularis in androgenized animals.”

“Withdrawal … metformin resulted in a decrease of menstrual frequency (6 (6–6) to 6 (4–…) menstrual bleeds per 6 months; p = 0.027) and in borderline increase of androstenedione (6.4 (4.6–7.6) to 7.8 (4.…–9.6) nmol/L; p = 0.053) in LT group.”