Methylglyoxal and insulin resistance in berberine-treated type 2 diabetic patients

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder of hyperglycemia. Chronic hyperglycemia produces advanced glycation end products such as the methylglyoxal (MGO) which interferes with cell functions, insulin signaling, and β-cell functions. The present study was conducted to determine the effects of berberine (BBR) therapy on serum MGO and insulin resistance in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic patients.

The present case-control study was conducted at the Department of Medicine, Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences, Jamshoro/Hyderabad, from March 2016 to January 2017. A sample of 200 newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic patients was divided into two groups. Group 1 received metformin 500 mg (×3 daily) and Group 2 received BBR 500 mg (×3 daily) for 3 months. Blood samples were collected at baseline and after 3 months to analyze biochemical parameters on Roche biochemical analyzer. MGO was assayed by ELISA kit and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) model. SPSS version 23.0 (IBM, Incorporation, USA) analyzed the data at 95% confidence interval (P ≤ 0.05).

Baseline HOMA-IR (% IR) and MGO were found elevated in metformin and BBR groups. After 3 months of metformin and BBR therapy, the HOMA-IR (% IR) and MGO were decreased to 3.69 ± 1.13 and 2.64 ± 0.76 and 35.84 ± 12.56 and 26.64 ± 10.73 ng/dl, respectively (P = 0.0001). HOMA-IR (% IR) was improved by 40% and 73% (P = 0.0001) and MGO by 43% and 56% in metformin and BBR groups, respectively (P = 0.0001).

BBR is more effective in decreasing the serum MGO levels and insulin resistance through improved glycemic control in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic patients.