Abstract Aim: In the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM), biguanide (metformin) and thiazolidinedione group (rosiglitazone) drugs are used as insulin sensitizers. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of metformin and rosiglitazone on oxidative stress, metabolic parameters and anthropometric measurements in newly diagnosed type 2 DM patients.
Materials and Methods: Forty three type 2 DM patients under 70 years of age were included in the study. Patients were randomized into two drug groups. Seventeen patients in the metformin group and 12 patients in the rosiglitazone group completed the study. In the beginning, third and sixth months of the study, the metabolic and laboratory parameters of the patients were measured and their anthropometric measurements were recorded. Oxidative stress parameters were measured at the beginning and sixth month of treatment.
Results: When metformin and rosiglitazone baseline, third and sixth month anthropometric measurement values were compared, they were found similar. When the metabolic parameters of the basal, third and sixth months of patients receiving metformin and rosiglitazone were compared, insulin and insulin resistance were significantly decreased in favour of rosiglitazone. At the end of the sixth month, there was a significant difference in serum sulfhydryl levels in favour of rosiglitazone.
Conclusion: Metformin and rosiglitazone have similar effects on anthropometric measurements in type 2 DM. The positive effect of rosiglitazone on metabolic parameters and oxidative stress is more pronounced compared to metformin.
Keywords Diabetes Mellitus, metformin, rosiglitazone, oxidative stress.