The Effect of Metformin in Preventing of Superimposed Preeclampsia: a Randomized Clinical Trial

Preeclampsia is associated with the release of soluble endoglin (sENG) into the maternal circulation. It inhibits sENG secretion, inhibiting the complex I of the mitochondrial electron transport chain. Therefore, using metformin may be helpful in the prevention of preeclampsia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of metformin in preventing superimposed preeclampsia.

This single-blind randomized clinical trial was conducted on 60 pregnant women 25-40 years old with chronic hypertension before the 20th week of pregnancy. The patients were randomized and divided into two groups (n=30). The first group received 1000 mg metformin (tablet metformin 500 mg bid), and the second group received a placebo (2 tablets daily). Then the incidence of preeclampsia and intrauterine retardation growth of the fetus were compared in the two groups.

The metformin consumption significantly reduced the incidence of preeclampsia (P=0.04) and intrauterine growth restriction (P=0.035) compared to the control group.

Metformin effectively reduced the incidence of superimposed preeclampsia and related factors in a pregnant patient with chronic hypertension.