Common painkiller Salsalate might help treat type 2 diabetes--study

Researchers claim that Salsalate which is commonly used in Arthritis treatment can help lower the insulin level as well as the glycemic level of the patients.

“Our findings are potentially very exciting because we show that a medication that treats inflammation may also treat diabetes and related medical conditions”, said lead researcher Goldfine, who is Director of Clinical Research at Joslin and Associate Professor at Harvard Medical School.

108 patients studied
In order to evaluate the effectiveness of the drug, 108 type 2 diabetes patients were prescribed doses of 3, 3.5 or 4 gm per day of Salsalate or a Placebo on a random basis.

The doses were given in addition to the current therapies being undertaken by the patients.

The individuals, aged between 45 to 65 years, were administered the dosage for a period of 14 weeks.

Results of the study
The study revealed that the patients taking Salsalate showed around 10-20 percent decline in their blood sugar levels, with no single dose showing more effectiveness than another.

Mark signs of glycemic too improved in the patients taking Salsalate regularly.

Moreover, the glucose utilization level had raised in both Salsalate as well as Placebo takers.

The researchers also claimed to have witnessed a reduction in the circulating levels of triglycerides and free fatty acids during the follow up of the patients.

Further research required
Researchers claim that only minor side effects, like the development of protein in urine was noticed in the patients taking Salsalate, though this could be a sign of kidney dysfunction in the near future.

In spite of the positive results of the study, researchers are of the view that further investigation is required to prove the effectiveness of the drug in the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

Allison B. Goldfine said,. "We are conducting a larger trial involving more patients with type 2 diabetes to further establish whether a salsalate dosage of 3.5g/day provides durable and safe control of blood glucose in this population."

“If we can show in the larger clinical trials now underway that it is safe and effective, it means salsalate may be a new way to treat diabetes”, he added.

The study has been published in the Annals of Internal Medicine.