Endocrine Abstracts

Objective: Obesity and fat deposition in tissues along with inflammatory response may induce insulin resistance and finally type 2 diabetes mellitus Salsalate, a prodrug form of salicylate can inhibit IKKβ and NF-kappaB inflammatory pathway as a potential pharmacologic target in diabetes. The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of salsalate as an anti-inflammatory drug to resolve endothelial dysfunction in diabetic patients.

Methods: This was a double blind controlled trial study. Forty newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic patients (30 to 45 years of age) were randomized in the drug and placebo groups. The drug group received 3 g Salsalate per day(two 750 mg tablets every 12 hours orally) for one month. The placebo group received identical placebo. Fasting plasma glucose level was assessed in two groups before and after treatment period. Endothelial function was assessed via flow mediated dilation (FMD) of the brachial artery following reactive hyperemia before and after treatment period in two groups.

Results: Thirteen patients in the drug group and 15 ones in the placebo group finished the study. At baseline, there was no significant difference in mean fasting plasma glucose level (120 vs. 122 mg/dl, P=0.621) and FMD (10.5±5.2 vs. 10.2±5.4%, P=0.19) between drug and placebo groups, respectively. Salsalate reduced the fasting glucose level in the drug group (18 mg/dl) significantly, in comparison with the placebo group (P<0.05). At the end of the trial, FMD in the salsalate and placebo group was 11.5±5.6 vs. 10.1±5.3%, respectively (P=0.09).

Discussion: This study showed that daily use of 3 grams salsalate for one month reduced 15.5% of baseline blood glucose level in diabetic cases. However, endothelial dysfunction did not change significantly. It might be because of the short duration of the study. We suggest further studies with longer treatment duration and controlling other factors of insulin resistance, should be done to investigate the role of salsalate in resolving the endothelial dysfunction in diabetic patients.

Conclusion: These data demonstrate that salsalate improves glucose homeostasis, but endothelial dysfunction did not change.

Declaration of interest: The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest that could be perceived as prejudicing the impartiality of the research project.

Funding: This research did not receive any specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sector.