Efficacy of glimepiride on insulin resistance, adipocytokines, and atherosclerosis

BACKGROUND: Plasma adiponectin levels increase after the administration of glimepiride. This unique effects would also be expected to improve other adipocytokines and have anti-atherosclerotic action in patients with metabolic syndrome. METHODS: Thirty-four patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who were administrated glibenclamide were randomly divided into two groups. In 20 patients glibenclamide was changed to glimepiride (GP group), and the administration of glibenclamide (GB group) was continued in 14 patients. Twelve patients receiving insulin therapy (INS group) were enrolled for comparison. The levels of plasma adiponectin, high sensitive-CRP, TNF-alpha, interleukin-6, homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) and augmentation index (AI) were measured before and 28 weeks after the therapy. RESULTS: HOMA-IR in the GP group was significantly decreased compared to the GB group. Plasma adiponectin levels were significantly increased in the GP group but not in the other groups. TNF-alpha, interleukin-6 and high sensitive-CRP levels were significantly decreased in the GP group, but not in the other groups. The baPWV and AI levels did not change in either the GB or the INS group, but were significantly decreased in the GP group. CONCLUSIONS: Glimepiride appears to improve insulin resistance and atherosclerotic disorders.