Salsalate improves glycemia and inflammatory parameters in obese young adults.
OBJECTIVE
Sedentary lifestyle and a western diet promote subacute-chronic inflammation, obesity, and subsequently dysglycemia. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the efficacy of the anti-inflammatory drug salsalate to improve glycemia by reducing systemic inflammation in obese adults at risk for the development of type 2 diabetes.


METHODS
In a double-masked, placebo controlled trial, we evaluated 20 obese nondiabetic adults at baseline and after 1 month of salsalate or placebo.


RESULTS
Compared with placebo, salsalate reduced fasting glucose 13% (P < 0.002), glycemic response after an oral glucose challenge 20% (P < 0.004), and glycated albumin 17% (P < 0.0003). Although insulin levels were unchanged, fasting and oral glucose tolerance test C-peptide levels decreased in the salsalate-treated subjects compared with placebo (P < 0.03), consistent with improved insulin sensitivity and a known effect of salicylates to inhibit insulin clearance. Adiponectin increased 57% after salsalate compared with placebo (P < 0.003). Additionally, within the group of salsalate-treated subjects, circulating levels of C-reactive protein were reduced by 34% (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
This proof-of-principle study demonstrates that salsalate reduces glycemia and may improve inflammatory cardiovascular risk indexes in overweight individuals. These data support the hypothesis that subacute-chronic inflammation contributes to the pathogenesis of obesity-related dysglycemia and that targeting inflammation may provide a therapeutic route for diabetes prevention.
Fleischman
Amy
A
Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Shoelson
Steven E
SE
Bernier
Raquel
R
Goldfine
Allison B
AB
D000328:Adult; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D017127:Glycation End Products, Advanced; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010919:Placebos; D012459:Salicylates / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D000093423:Glycated Serum Albumin
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D001786:Blood Glucose; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D017127:Glycation End Products, Advanced; D010919:Placebos; D012459:Salicylates; D012709:Serum Albumin; C014182:salicylsalicylic acid; D000093423:Glycated Serum Albumin