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Pantoprazole improved glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes
Previous studies have found that proton pump inhibitors influence glucose-insulin homeostasis by elevating plasma gastrin. In the current study, researchers from India have found that pantoprazole did this while improving glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes.
“So far, few observational studies have evaluated the effect of PPIs on HbA1c only and not on other parameters of glucose-insulin homeostasis,” researchers wrote.
In a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled trial, Pawan Kumar Singh, from the postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research in Chandigarh, India, and colleagues measured HbA1c, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), insulin and gastrin at baseline and at 12 weeks among 31 patients.
The patients were randomly assigned to twice daily pantoprazole 40 mg (Protonix, Wyeth) (n=16) as an add-on to their existing therapy, or placebo (n=15). After 12 weeks of therapy, patients assigned to pantoprazole experienced significant reductions in HbA1c levels (0.8%, P<.001), while no statistically significant differences were found in the patients treated with placebo.
“Similarly, there was a significant reduction in fasting plasma glucose level at 12 weeks when compared with baseline (P=.017) and in comparison to placebo as well (P=.019),” researchers wrote.
Additional data indicate that pantoprazole therapy improved beta cell function by 30.1% (P=.016), which was significant when compared with patients treated with placebo, at 12 weeks (P=.025). Yet, HOMA for insulin resistance didn’t show signs of significant change in either group, researchers wrote. Adverse events occurred, but none of the patients developed hypoglycemia, according to data.
Moreover, pantoprazole-treated patients had a 50% increase in plasma gastrin levels. Researchers wrote that these findings could have been more impressive if the treatment period was lengthened, though they note that these results still warrant further study.
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.