Purpose: Metformin is a widely used drug for treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) which functions mainly by stimulating AMP–activated protein kinase (AMPK), a major cellular regulator of lipid and glucose metabolism. AMPK acts as a master sensor of cellular energy balance in mammalian cells by regulating glucose and lipid metabolism. Hepatic metformin uptake depends on the expression of organic cation transporters (OCTs).  Adiponectin also functions like Metformin to bring forth similar effects. The study was designed to investigate the role of Metformin in improving adiponectin levels in T2DM. So we tried to associate levels of serum adiponectin with Metformin in OCT1 snp genetic variants of T2DM.

Methods: The study subjects were all T2DM patients on metformin monotherapy (500 mg, bd) who were grouped into two on the basis of their HbA1c values and snp on SLC22A1 rs122083571 as Group I(C allele) and Group II (T allele). Genotyping for SLC22A1 rs122083571 C/T polymorphism using PCR assay was done along with other anthropometric and biochemical parameters.

Results: The results suggested that Group II patients with T allele of OCT1 rs122083571 had better therapeutic efficacy to metformin and improved adiponectin levels when compared to patients with C allele genetic polymorphism. Serum adiponectin and metformin levels were significantly correlated.

Conclusion: Serum metformin levels are correlated to adioponectin values. SLC22A1 rs122083571 T allele was associated with low serum metformin levels and good glycemic status with improved adiponectin levels.