Abstract
Abstract The mechanism by which phenformin diminishes blood glucose concentrations in man is not clear. We studied the effect of the drug on intestinal absorption because of several recent reports which have suggested that at least part of the drug's action may be the impairment of glucose absorption. Jejunal absorption rates of glucose, water, and sodium were measured in human volunteers with a segmental perfusion technique before and 75 minutes after administration of 100 mg. of phenformin. The drug reduced mean glucose absorption from 4,532 μmoles per hour per segment to 2,341, water absorption from 228 ml. per hour per segment to −25, and sodium absorption from 1,700 μEq per hour per segment to 400. Although mucosal biopsies appeared normal by light microscopy, electron microscopy revealed disappearance of mitochondrial matrix granules in villus absorptive cells after the drug. We suggest that the diminished rates of active intestinal transport is the consequence of mitochondrial injury with phenformin and an important mechanism of action of the drug in man.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
