Nateglinide with glibenclamide examination using the respiratory quotient (RQ)

The respiratory quotient (RQ) is useful for evaluating glucose and lipid metabolism in vivo. We previously reported that the RQ value, even after fasting, was high in diabetics being treated with sulphonylurea (SU), which might explain the accumulation of fat, leading to weight gain in such individuals. In the present study, we measured the RQ in type II diabetic patients who were being treated with a rapid-onset/short-duration insulinotropic agent, nateglinide, and compared it with those being treated with SU.

A glucose tolerance test was performed in 20 patients with type II diabetes mellitus treated with nateglinide and in 14 patients treated with SU, and the RQ was simultaneously measured.

The RQ values in the patients treated with nateglinide, were similar to those in healthy adults, but was lower than in those treated with SU. No weight gain was observed in patients treated with nateglinide.

A significant weight gain was reported in subjects treated with SU, accompanied by an increase in RQ. However, weight gain was less frequent in diabetics treated with nateglinide.