Aim: This study was designed to determine the effect of exenatide on inflammatory and oxidative stress markers in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients who were suboptimally controlled with metformin and/or sulfonylurea.
Subjects and methods: Twenty-three patients with T2DM with inadequate glucose control were randomly divided into two groups: exenatide group (E group) (12 patients, 5 μg b.d. × 4 weeks followed by 10 μg b.d. × 12 weeks) and placebo group (P group) (11 patients). Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), the seven-point glucose profile, daily mean glucose, and glycemic excursion were determined. The effects of exenatide on 8-iso-prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were investigated.
Results: Exenatide treatment reduced body weight and body mass index (BMI) and improved HbA1c, the seven-point glucose profile, and daily mean glucose compared with placebo (P < 0.05). Limited glycemic excursion was found in the E group compared with the P group (P < 0.05), including a smaller SD and postprandial glucose excursion. In addition, the oxidative stress maker PGF2α was significantly reduced by exenatide treatment (P < 0.05). The inflammatory markers hs-CRP and MCP-1 were also significantly reduced in the E group compared with the P group (P < 0.05). PGF2α was significantly correlated with glycemic excursion (P < 0.05), whereas MCP-1 was significantly correlated with body weight, BMI, glycemic excursion, and HbA1c (P < 0.05 for all).
Conclusions: Exenatide treatment reduced patient body weight and BMI, improved HbA1c and the seven-point glucose profile, reduced daily mean glucose, limited glycemic excursion, and reduced oxidative stress and inflammatory markers in patients of T2DM having inadequate glucose control.