Comparative investigation of basal insulin glargine versus metformin as first line drug in patients with type 2 diabetes on B-Cell and endothelial function

Metformin (MET) as first line drug fails to prevent disease progression. Early use of insulin might be able to preserve beta cell function. We compared effect on B-Cell function, endothelial function and cardiovascular risk factors. Open-label, randomized, prospective 36-wk study. 75 eligible drug naive patients (45/30m/f, age 60.7±9.2 yr), HbA1c between 6.5 & 8.5% were allocated to MET 1000mg b.i.d. (n=36) or insulin glargine (GLA) at bedtime (n=39). GLA dose was adjusted to target fasting plasma glucose (FPG)