Background: A progressive weight gain is associated with various pharmacological options improving glycemic control in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Ghrelin has been implicated in the regulation of feeding behavior and energy balance in humans. Based on evidence that functional ATP-sensitive channels are present in ghrelin-producing cells, we hypothesized that meglitinides may affect circulating ghrelin levels in subjects with type 2 diabetes.
Methods: In a single-blinded randomized three-period crossover study (n = 20), repaglinide or nateglinide was given in combination with metformin for two treatment periods over a 1-week period, respectively, separated by a 1-week treatment with placebo. Liquid meal challenge tests (LMCTs) with single preprandial doses of repaglinide (2 mg), nateglinide (120 mg), or placebo were performed at the end of each treatment period. Ten control subjects without diabetes underwent a single LMCT without any medication.
Results: Fasting ghrelin concentrations were not different between all treatments and between patients with diabetes and control subjects. Subjects with T2DM treated with placebo showed no suppression of ghrelin in the LMCT. After administration of meglitinides a nadir of serum ghrelin was observed at 60 min (8.6% of baseline [P = 0.038] for repaglinide and 7.5% of baseline [P = 0.081] for nateglinide), which was similar to the secretion pattern seen in control subjects. No correlations between postprandial insulin or glucose levels and circulating ghrelin concentrations were observed.
Conclusions: Treatment with meglitinides reconstructed postprandial ghrelin secretion patterns to those of controls without diabetes. This observation may help to improve the control of feeding behavior in patients with T2DM.