Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41428169›Full record

Trial reportEuropean radiology experimental2025

Multiparameter MRI assessment of metformin and exercise effects on skeletal muscle in prediabetes: a randomized controlled trial.

Fuyao Yu, Yanbin Dong, Nan Ye, Chuan Xing, Xiaohong Lyu, Yong Chen, Xianghong Yang, Shinong Pan

Abstract readRandomized Controlled Trial
In one paragraph

Trial report in European radiology experimental, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Fuyao YuDepartment of Radiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.
Yanbin DongGeorgia Prevention Institute, Department of Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, GA, USA.
Nan YeDepartment of Radiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.
Chuan XingDepartment of Endocrinology, The People's Hospital of Liaoning Province, Shenyang, China.
Xiaohong LyuDepartment of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, China.
Yong ChenDepartment of Radiology, The Affiliated Hospital of Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China.
Xianghong YangDepartment of Pathology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China. yangxh@sj-hospital.org.
Shinong PanDepartment of Radiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China. cjr.panshinong@vip.163.com.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3250-1948

Funding

Foundation of Liaoning Province Education Administration LKJMZ20221163National Natural Science Foundation of China 81271538University of Science and Technology Liaoning 2024-BSLH-319
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThe metabolic effects of combined metformin and aerobic exercise on skeletal muscle in prediabetes remain unclear. We evaluated individual and combined effects on skeletal muscle metabolism using multiparameter magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and assessed prediabetes remission. MATERIALS AND

methodsIn this 12-week randomized controlled trial, forty-two prediabetic adults aged 48.4 ± 13.1 years mean ± standard deviation) were randomized into control (n = 10), metformin (n = 10), exercise (n = 11), and combined therapy (n = 11) groups. Multiparameter MRI measured T2, apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), fractional anisotropy (FA), intermuscular adipose tissue (IMAT), intramyocellular lipids, visceral adipose tissue (VAT), and muscle cross-sectional areas (MSCAs). Blood biomarkers were assessed by standard protocols. Analyses included ANOVA, Fisher's exact test, and correlation analysis.

resultsNormoglycemia occurred in 90% of the combined group, 80% of the exercise, 20% of the metformin, and 10% of the controls. Exercise alone significantly decreased IMAT%, T2, and ADC, and increased FA, whereas metformin alone had no significant effects. Combination therapy did not further improve blood biomarkers or change MRI parameters versus exercise, but uniquely reduced VAT and increased MSCAs. IMAT% reduction was borderline greater in subjects with high baseline IMAT after combination therapy (p = 0.051). MRI parameters, particularly IMAT%, T2, and FA, correlated with fasting glucose, incremental area under the curve of glucose and insulin, and hemoglobin A1c.

conclusionAerobic exercise favorably altered skeletal muscle tissue characteristics and metabolic markers in prediabetes. Metformin did not attenuate these effects and may enhance IMAT reduction in subjects with high baseline IMAT. RELEVANCE STATEMENT: Multiparameter MRI provides a sensitive, noninvasive means to quantify skeletal muscle composition and function in prediabetes, enabling precise assessment of the metabolic effects of combined lifestyle and pharmacological interventions.

trial registrationChinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2300072162), retrospectively registered on June 5, 2023. KEY POINTS: Aerobic exercise improves muscle composition and glucose metabolism in prediabetes. Metformin adds benefits for reducing muscle fat in high-fat individuals. Multiparameter MRI enables noninvasive monitoring of skeletal muscle metabolic changes.

Indexed as

ExerciseExercise TherapyHypoglycemic AgentsMagnetic Resonance ImagingMetforminMuscle, SkeletalPrediabetic StateAdultFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedHypoglycemic AgentsMetforminExerciseMetforminMultiparametric magnetic resonance imagingMusclePrediabetic state

Identifiers

PMID41428169
PMCPMC12722603

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Texttitle and abstract
LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.