Effect of standard nicotinamide in the prevention of type 1 diabetes in first degree relatives of persons with type 1 diabetes

Abstract

Background: Nicotinamide has been used with success to prevent type 1 diabetes in animal models and humans. This vitamin B₃ derivative has attracting effects on β-cell protection and regeneration.

Aim/hypothesis: To evaluate the effect of standard nicotinamide administration on type 1 diabetes prevention in first degree relatives of persons with type 1 diabetes as well as on the concentrations of islet-cell-related autoantibodies, insulin secretion and peripheral sensitivity.

Subjects and methods: A randomized double-blind placebo controlled intervention trial was conducted in 40 first degree relatives of type 1 diabetic patients. Persistence of ICA ( ≥ 10 JDF units) was among inclusion criteria. Participants were randomly allocated oral standard nicotinamide (1.2 g/m²) or placebo for 5 years. Groups were also stratified by age. Islet associated antibodies, fasting blood glucose, fasting plasma insulin concentrations, OGTT, IVGTT and HLA-DR genotyping were performed in all participants. The main criterion to stop treatment was type 1 diabetes development as defined by WHO.

Results: Type 1 diabetes development frequencies were similar between the treatment groups. ICA frequencies at the end of the study, first phase insulin release, and insulin sensitivity did not differ between groups as well. None of the participants suffered from any adverse events described for nicotinamide.

Conclusions: Type 1 diabetes prevention trial using standard nicotinamide is feasible but fails to prevent or delay the disease onset at the dose we used.

• Type 1 diabetes
• nicotinamide
• prevention
• islet associated antibodies
• insulin sensitivity
• HLA

Acknowledgements

This work was supported in part by a grant from the Ministry of Public Health of Cuba. We are indebted to Lucia Chapel, Susana García, Marisol Hernández, Ayde Valverde, Eva Julia Díaz and the staff of the Biochemistry Department of the National Institute of Endocrinology for their technical support. We thank Claudia Olivero for the critical review of the manuscript.