Metabolic Effects of Rosiglitazone and Metformin in Greek Patients with Recently Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the comparative effects of rosiglitazone and metformin on metabolic parameters in recently diagnosed type 2 Greek diabetic patients. A total of 41 drug-naive individuals, with recently diagnosed type 2 diabetes, were randomized in 3 groups: DIET, diet alone; ROSI, diet plus rosiglitazone; and MET, diet plus metformin. Anthropometric indexes, blood pressure, hematological and biochemical parameters were estimated at baseline and after 18 weeks of treatment. We observed a significant decrease of fasting glucose (FBG) (p<0.001), glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) (ROSI: p=0.001, MET: p<0.001), homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (ROSI: p=0.006, MET: p=0.009) and glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT) (ROSI: p=0.004, MET: p=0.003) in both ROSI and MET groups. Metformin significantly reduced fasting insulin (p=0.04), body weight (p=0.026), body mass index (BMI) (p=0.022), waist circumference (p=0.022) and gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (Á-GT) (p=0.039), while rosiglitazone decreased blood pressure (systolic: p=0.05, mean: p=0.03) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) (p=0.001) compared to baseline values. Combined intervention with rosiglitazone and diet led to a slight, not significant, weight loss. Rosiglitazone and metformin are equaly effective in controling diabetes, decreasing insulin resistance and improving liver function. However, considering the more favorable effects of metformin on body composition and its documented cost-effectiveness, it seems to be preferable in newly diagnosed Greek diabetic patients.