Oral insulin is an efficient treatment option for early-stage type 2 diabetes, study identifies

Capsulin oral insulin administered twice a day at a dose of 150iu per capsule is a safe and efficient treatment option for people with type 2 diabetes, new research demonstrates.

Scientists have found that oral insulin results in significant decreases from baseline in HbA1c, fasting plasma glucose and triglycerides.

A total of 100 people took part in the study, all of whom had type 2 diabetes and are on metformin.

Participants were randomly assigned to one of three groups and either received 75iu BD of formulated regular insulin, 150iu BD in enteric-coated capsules, or 300iu BD in enteric-coated capsules.

The results state: “The study met its primary clinical endpoint of a decrease in HbA1c ≥ 0.5 per cent (least square mean decrease 0.52 per cent; p = 0.004, median decrease 0.6) in the dose group receiving 150iu BD. In a subset of this population, with starting HbA1c values between 9 and 9.5 per cent, an average decrease of 1.575 per cent was seen.”

“In the total population, least square mean decreases in HbA1c for groups 75iu BD and 300iu BD were -0.11 per cent and -0.42 per cent respectively.”

The mean change in fasting plasma glucose in the 150iu BD dose group was -18.8mg/dL (p = 0.017) and -14.8 and -2.7mg/dL for groups 75iu BD and 300iu BD respectively. A decrease of 20 per cent for triglycerides (-40 mg/dL) was also seen in the 150iu BD dose group.

No significant increases in body weight were observed, and significant decreases in systolic blood pressure were seen in all groups.

No serious treatment-related adverse events were recorded, and no incidence of hypoglycaemia was reported throughout the whole 12-week study period.

To access the study, click here.

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