Effect of Pioglitazone on Serum Uric Acid Levels in Newly Diagnosed, Drug-Naïve Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

Abstract

Objectives. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of pioglitazone on serum uric acid (UA) levels and several diabetic parameters in drug-naïve subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Patients and Methods. The patients (n = 68) received 7.5–30 mg/day pioglitazone monotherapy. They were divided into three groups based on their baseline UA levels (low, medium, and high). These parameters were followed for 12 weeks. Results. At baseline, HbA1c and fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels were in negative proportion to those of UA, while homeostasis model assessment-beta (HOMA-B) levels were in proportion to those of UA. Insulin, homeostasis model assessment-R (HOMA-R), and body mass index (BMI) levels had a tendency to be in proportion to those of UA. While similar glycemic effects were observed in all the groups, UA levels significantly decreased in the high UA group while they insignificantly increased in the low UA group. Multiple regression analysis revealed that the baseline UA level and age were the significant determinants for the changes of UA levels. In the high UA group, significant decreases of insulin and HOMA-R levels were observed, and their changes (Δ) were significantly correlated with those of UA. Other parameters including insulin, HOMA-R, HOMA-B, and BMI were also differentially regulated between these groups. Conclusions. These results indicate that (1) while similar glycemic effects were observed, distinct regulations of UA and other diabetic parameters were observed with pioglitazone depending on the baseline UA levels; (2) pioglitazone downregulated hyperuricemia by possibly relieving insulin resistance; and (3) the level of UA together with other parameters might provide some diabetic characteristics of the subjects.

• Uric acid
• Type 2 diabetes
• Pioglitazone
• Insulin resistance
• Beta-cell function

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors thank Jan Wajs and Yasuhiro Ukai for their suggestions and discussions and Hirohide Sugiura and Masanori Koizumi for their statistical expertise.

Declaration of Interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this article.