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OBSERVATIONS ON THE MECHANISM OF INCREASED WEIGHT LOSS DURING METFORMIN ADMINISTRATION IN OBESITY

In two hospitalized obese, non-diabetic women on a 1250 calorie diet, the administration of metformin increased the rate of weight loss. A rebound effect was observed on withdrawal.

These phenomena could not be correlated to changes in the total weight, dry weight or fat content of faeces or to variations in fluid intake and diuresis. Although faecal losses of fat and dry matter increased with the dose of metformin, the degree of malabsorption was too small to account for any significant part of the weight loss.

The administration and the withdrawal of metformin produced changes in body weight similar to those provoked by restriction of calories, or selective carbohydrate restriction and re-alimentation, respectively.

Since such rapid shifts in weight are largely due to changes in water-balance, it is highly probable that metformin reduces the amount of body water. The mechanism involved may concern a decrease in carbohydrate metabolism as well as an increase in that of fat.