Table 1 Patient timelines / scheme of interventions

 Informed consent

X

 Inclusion/Exclusion

X

X

 Randomisation

X

 Treatment

 Placebo

 Dispensing of study medication

X

X

 Collection of study medication

X

X

 Metformin serum concentration (compliance check)

X

 Medical history and demographics

X

 Capture Adverse Events

X

X

X

 Vital Signs (blood pressure, heart rate, weight, height

X

X

X

X

 Physical examination (general and neurological)

X

X

X

X

 Blood and urine analysis: amino acids, haematology^b, chemistry^c, markers of oxidative stress and NO function

X

X

X

 MFM scale

X^a

X

X

 Muscle force of knee extension and elbow flexion using hand held dynamometry

X^a

X

X

 6MWT

X^a

X

X

 Timed function test: 10 m walking test, Supine up

X^a

X

X

 MRI

X

X