Effect of metformin on serum carcino embryonic antigen levels in type 2 diabetic patients

Abstract

Serum carcino embryonic antigen (CEA) levels were measured and compared in 493 patients with type 2 diabetes including one group receiving,and another group without metformin treatment.Associations between CEA and other variables were assessed with Spearman or Pearson correlation analysis and multiple stepwise regression analysis.The results showed that CEA level in metformin group was significantly lower than that in nonmetformim group[(2.57 ± 1.47 vs 3.09 ± 1.79) mmol/L,P＜0.01] ; CEA level in females was significantly lower than that of males [(2.48 ± 1.41 vs 3.12 ± 1.78) mmol/L,P＜0.01] ; CEA level in postmenopausal women was significantly higher than that in premenopausal women (P＜0.05).The correlation analysis showed that serum CEA levels were significantly associated with HbA1C,glycated albumin,metformin,gender,and testosterone (P ＜0.01).Multiple stepwise regression analysis further revealed that HbA1C(P＜0.01),metformin administration (P =0.019),gender(P＜0.01),and T levels (P＜0.01) were independent influencing factors of CEA concentrations.These results suggest that there is gender difference in serum CEA levels in type 2 diabetic patients.Metformin may reduce serum CEA levels in type 2 diabetic patients,especially in the female patients. Key words: Diabeties mellitus, type 2 ; Metformin ; Carcinoembryonic Antigen ; Gender