Evaluation and comparison of the effect of two insulin sensitizers on glycemic and lipid control in patients with type II diabetes mellitus

Abstract

The present study aimed to compare the effect of 2 insulin sensitizers – pioglitazone and metformin – on control- ling blood sugar and lipid profile in patients with Type II Diabetes Mellitus (DM2). Twenty patients, who were new- ly diagnosed with uncomplicated DM, were randomly categorized into 2 groups: one group receiving pioglitazone 15mg once daily and the other received 500mg twice daily for 12 weeks. For control, 10 subjects, who are age- and sex- matched and apparently healthy with normal blood glucose, were considered. The parameters like FBS, PPBS, LDL, HDL, TG, serum cholesterol, HbAlc, and C-peptide before and after the drug intake were measured and compared. After 12 weeks, it was observed that the FBS decreased (mean) from 165.20mg/dL to 134.80mg/dL (P>0.05) in the pioglitazone group and from 164.20mg/dL to 137.50mg/dL (P>0.05) in the metformin group. The PPBS decreased from 198.4mg/dL to 164mg/dL (P>0.05) in the pioglitazone group and from 210.30mg/dL to 178.1mg/dL in the metformin group. There was a statistically significant difference between two groups on the decrease in the mean serum TG levels. Metformin was significantly more effective than pioglitazone in reducing HbAlc. The pioglitazone and metformin produced identical results in all parameters like blood sugar and lipid profile. The increase in HDL is higher with pioglitazone group. There was a significant difference in c-peptide concentration. A vertical study with inclusion of more number of cases and complicated patients with DM2 is recommended.