Overview

The goal of this clinical trial is to investigate how a short-term interruption of metformin treatment affects insulin sensitivity, glucose control, and metabolic flexibility in adults with metabolic syndrome who are taking metformin as part of their usual medical treatment. Temporary interruptions in metformin treatment may occur in real-life situations, such as missed doses, medication access problems, travel, or planned short-term discontinuation for clinical reasons. This study aims to understand whether stopping metformin for 14 days leads to rapid changes in glucose metabolism or whether the effects of previous metformin treatment may persist during a short period without the medication.

The main questions it aims to answer are:

Does stopping metformin for 14 days worsen glucose control or insulin sensitivity measured by oral glucose tolerance tests, HbA1c, and continuous glucose monitoring?

Does stopping metformin for 14 days affect metabolic flexibility, measured by indirect calorimetry during the oral glucose tolerance test?

Does stopping metformin for 14 days affect blood lipids, liver and inflammatory markers, red blood cell parameters, kidney function markers, fasting lactate levels, blood pressure, or heart rate?

Researchers will compare participants who stop metformin for 14 days with participants who continue their usual metformin treatment to see whether temporary metformin discontinuation affects insulin sensitivity, glucose control, metabolic flexibility, and other cardiometabolic markers.

Participants in the metformin discontinuation group will stop taking metformin for 14 days. They will attend study visits on day 0, day 4, day 7, and day 14. At each visit, they will complete an oral glucose tolerance test, have blood samples taken, and undergo indirect calorimetry measurements before and after the glucose drink. Blood pressure and heart rate will also be measured during the test. Participants will wear a continuous glucose monitor throughout the 14-day period to track glucose levels and help detect any potentially unsafe increase in blood glucose.

Participants in the usual-treatment group will continue taking metformin as prescribed. They will attend study visits on day 0 and day 14. At each visit, they will complete an oral glucose tolerance test, have blood samples taken, and undergo indirect calorimetry, blood pressure, and heart rate measurements during the test.

At the study visits, researchers will assess glucose and insulin responses, HbA1c, continuous glucose monitoring data, metabolic flexibility, blood lipid profile, liver and inflammatory markers, red blood cell parameters, kidney function markers, fasting lactate levels, blood pressure, and heart rate.

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

• Currently treated with metformin as part of their usual medical care for at least 12 months before enrolment.
• Diagnosis of metabolic syndrome according to established clinical criteria, based on the presence of at least three of the following components: increased waist circumference, elevated triglycerides, reduced HDL cholesterol, elevated blood pressure or antihypertensive treatment, and elevated fasting glucose or treatment for dysglycemia.
• Stable metformin dose for at least 3 months before enrolment.
• Willing and medically able to temporarily discontinue metformin for 14 days if assigned to the metformin discontinuation group.
• Able and willing to undergo repeated oral glucose tolerance tests, venous catheter placement, repeated blood sampling, indirect calorimetry measurements, blood pressure measurements, and heart rate measurements.
• willing to wear a continuous glucose monitoring device during the study period.
• Preserved kidney function at baseline, defined as estimated glomerular filtration rate ≥60 mL/min/1.75 m² and urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio \<30 mg/g, or values considered clinically acceptable by the study physician.
• No previous history of clinically significant diabetes-related complications, including diabetic retinopathy, diabetic foot disease, severe peripheral neuropathy, or diabetic kidney disease.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Diagnosis of type 1 diabetes.
• Current treatment with insulin or other glucose-lowering medications.
• Previous history of severe hypoglycemia, diabetic ketoacidosis, hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state, or other acute diabetes-related metabolic complications.
• Uncontrolled diabetes or clinically unsafe glycemic status at screening, defined as HbA1c above 8.0 %, fasting plasma glucose above 160 mg/dl, or any other glycemic value considered unsafe by the study physician.
• Known allergy or intolerance to materials used in the continuous glucose monitoring device, adhesive patches, venous catheter, or study procedures.