A randomised trial of salsalate for insulin resistance and cardiovascular risk factors in persons with abnormal glucose tolerance

Abstract

Aims/hypothesis Chronic sub-acute inflammation contributes to the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease. High doses of salicylate reduce inflammation, glucose and triacylglycerols, and may improve insulin sensitivity, suggesting therapeutic potential in impaired fasting glucose and/or impaired glucose tolerance. This trial aimed to evaluate the effect of salsalate vs placebo on insulin resistance and glycaemia in impaired fasting glucose and/or impaired glucose tolerance. Methods We conducted a 12 week, two-centre, randomised, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the effect of salsalate (up to 4 g/day) vs placebo on systemic glucose disposal. Secondary objectives included treatment effects on glycaemia, inflammation and cardiovascular risk factors. Seventy-eight participants with impaired fasting glucose and/or impaired glucose tolerance from two VA healthcare systems were enrolled. Randomisation assignment was provided by the coordinating center directly to site pharmacists, and participants and research staff were blinded to treatment assignment. Results Seventy-one individuals were randomised to placebo (n = 36) or salsalate (n = 35). Glucose disposal did not change in either group (salsalate 1% [95% CI −39%, 56%]; placebo 6% [95% CI −20%, 61%], p = 0.3 for placebo vs salsalate). Fasting glucose was reduced by 6% during the study by salsalate (p = 0.006) but did not change with placebo. Declines in glucose were accompanied by declines in fasting C-peptide with salsalate. Insulin clearance was reduced with salsalate. In the salsalate group, triacylglycerol levels were lower by 25% (p = 0.01) and adiponectin increased by 53% (p = 0.02) at the end of the study. Blood pressure, endothelial function and other inflammation markers did not differ between groups. Adipose tissue nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) activity declined in the salsalate group compared with placebo (−16% vs 42%, p = 0.005), but was not correlated with metabolic improvements. The frequency of tinnitus was low but tended to be higher with salsalate therapy (n =4 vs n =2). Conclusions/interpretation In summary, salsalate therapy was well tolerated, lowered fasting glucose, increased adiponectin and reduced adipose tissue NF-κB activity. These changes were not related to changes in peripheral insulin sensitivity, suggesting additional mechanisms for metabolic improvement. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00330733 Funding Office of Research and Development, Medical Research Service, Department of Veterans Affairs and NIH K24 DK63214

P65 inactivation in adipocytes and macrophages attenuates adipose inflammatory response in lean but not in obese mice

“…Various anti-inflammatory medicines have been tested to improve insulin sensitivity in human studies, in which the medicines yielded negative results in most small clinical trials (8,57). In the best case, salsalate yielded positive results in the small clinical trials (10, 14) but gave a negative result in a large clinical trial (12,13). The anti-inflammatory therapies induce body weight in patients in the large clinical trial with 1-kg gain on average (12,13).…”

MECHANISMS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY: Metabolic and inflammatory pathways on the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes

“…However, side effects were always a concern and to date, no inhibitor of NFkB is approved for the treatment of T2D. Recently, salsalate, a nonacetylated pro-drug form of salicylic acid with fewer side effects was employed in several clinical trials with generally positive results, reducing fasting glucose and HbA1c (161,162). …”

Harveian Oration 2016: Some observations on the causes and consequences of obesity

“…82 However, the evidence that this work translates to humans is, at present, rather less convincing. Indeed, to date there is little published evidence that the use of non-specific 83 or specific 84 anti-inflammatory agents has any sustained, significant impact on human insulin sensitivity.…”