Osteoarthritis drug found to lower HbA1c levels in type 2 diabetes

[DCUK NewsBot]

An anti-inflammatory drug commonly used to treat joint swelling and pain has been shown to safely lower blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. Diacerein, which is often given to people who suffer from osteoarthritis, was also shown to help decrease the amount of insulin people with diabetes were injecting. The treatment was carried out on 84 people who all had type 2 diabetes and HbA1c levels between 59 mmol/mol (7.5%) and 80 mmol/mol (9.5%). The participants were split up into two groups, one of which was treated with 100mg of diacerein and the other group was given a placebo. On average the diacerein group saw their HbA1c levels lower, through the study period, when compared to the placebo participants. Seven people in the drug group reduced their insulin doses, whereas 10 people increased their dosage in the placebo group. Fasting blood glucose levels did not differ in either group. The researchers noted that 65 per cent of the people in the drug group experienced diarrhea during the trial, which interrupted treatment slightly. They concluded: "Diacerein reduced mean HbA1c levels, with peak of effect at the 24th week of treatment. The drug was well tolerated and may be indicated as adjunct treatment in patients with type 2 diabetes, particularly in those with osteoarthritis." The work was led by carried out by Dr Gil F. Salles, from the department of internal medicine, University Hospital Clementino Fraga Filho and the School of Medicine at Universidad Federal do Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. The researchers added: "Larger [randomised controlled trials] with longer follow-up periods are needed to assess long-term cardiorenal safety as well as diacerein efficacy in preventing or reducing chronic macro- and microvascular diabetic complications." The study was published in the journal Diabetes Care.

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[ickihun]

I'm trying to get my head around this study as a person with significant osteoarthritis and never having heard of this drug.

1. It seem these people tested are Type 2 diabetics on insulin, already not yer normal control group

2. 65% got diarrhea while taking the drug

3. Fasting blood sugars did not change

4. There was a change in AIc3, but only after the 24 week mark.

5. This is a drug company trial of eighty some odd folks and they have not added liver and kidney function data, which themselves could negatively impact this as a go to add on for diabetics with other facets of metabolic syndrome

6. I think #2 above alone should get this deleterious drug off the market.

7. info on side effects from the Wikipedia (since this is a drug currently used for knee pain):

Side effects
The most common side effects of diacerein treatment are gastrointestinal symptoms including soft stools and diarrhea.[3] These are generally mild to moderate and occur more frequently in the first 2 weeks, and lessen with continued treatment.

An uncommon side effect is hepatic adverse events (most frequently reported as liver function test abnormalities). These have been described as mild/moderate cases of elevated liver enzymes in the blood.

Mild skin reactions (rash, pruritus and eczema) have also been reported with diacerein treatment.

Discoloration of urine (yellow or pink) is another side effect of diacerein. This effect is due to the elimination of rhein metabolites via the urine and no clinical significance has been found; it may also be dependent on general fluid intake.

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Due diligence search for rhein metabolites: affects cardiovascular system
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Once again a drug which helps movement more as less painful reducing hba1c after 24weeks maybe?
More activity will reduce hba1c even in those without this drug, me thinks. Well painfree activity so no adrenaline (liver dumping) to counteract painfull/stressful exercise.