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Metformin, a common diabetes drug that is safe for pregnant women, might effectively treat preeclampsia, according to a new study.
Preeclampsia is dangerous for a mother and her baby, causing high blood pressure, organ damage, and possible death. There currently isn’t a cure for preeclampsia, and the only treatment is to deliver the baby early. This study is the first step in finding an alternative treatment.
To conduct their study, researchers incubated human tissue (including placenta and endothelial cells) and metformin to explore how metformin affects the two toxins released in preeclampsia patients.
Results showed that metformin decreases the production of the two toxins and repairs blood vessels damaged by preeclampsia.
“Metformin has potential to prevent or treat preeclampsia,” researchers conclude.
Although the lab tests are promising, researchers agree that clinical tests should be conducted before making any definitive conclusions.
Reference:
Brownfoot, FC, Hastie R, Hannan NJ, et al. Metformin as a prevention and treatment for preeclampsia: effects on soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 (sFlt-1) and soluble endoglin secretion, and endothelial dysfunction. American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology. Published online December 21, 2015. www.ajog.org/article/S0002-9378(15)02540-5/abstract.
Source: Reproduced from GP Clinics Vol 6 No 12, 2016.
