Journal of International Psychiatry

Objective To observe the change of sex hormones and clinic feature of amenorrhea in the course of metformin reducing olanzapine-induced weight gain. Methods Schizophrenics with olanzapine-induced obesity and amenorrhea were randomly assigned to the metformin group (n=31) and the control group (n=32), receiving intrinsical olanzapine treatment and life-style intervention . Metformin （1500mg/d）was used as an addition in metformin group for 6 months. Five sex hormones including prolactin (PRL）, luteinizing hormone(LH), follicle stimulating hormone(FSH）,estradiol (E2）,and testosterone(T）as well as body mass index(BMI) were detected before and after treatment.The recovery of menses was followed up. Results Compared with before treatment, significantly increased serum levels of LH （P＜0.05）, significantly reduced PRL(P＜0.05)or T(P＜0.05) or BMI（ P＜0.05）,and no significantly change of FSH,E2 (both P＞0.05)were in metformin group at the end of study. Mean while, no significantly change level of five sex hormones (all P＞0.05)and BMI (P＞0.05) were observed in the control group.After 6 months treatment, higher level of LH(P＜0.05) ,and lower level of PRL (P＜0.05) or T (P＜0.05)or BMI (P＜0.05) were in metformin group than those in control group. More menses-recovery patients in metformin group ,compared by control group treat(35.5% vs 3.1%, P＜0.05) at the end of study. Conclusion Metformin may be benefit not only in weight reducing ,but also in dysfunction of sex hormones and amenorrhea in olanzapine- treated schizophrenics.

Schizophrenia; Metformin; Sex hormones; Amenorrhea; Obesity