Randomized Dose Ranging Study of the Reduction of Fasting and Postprandial Glucose in Type 2 Diabetes by Nateglinide (A-4166)
- Fiona M. Gribble, MA, BM, BCH, DPHIL1,
- Susan E. Manley, PHD2 and
- Jonathan C. Levy, BSC, MD2
- 1Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge
- 2Diabetes Research Laboratories, Radcliffe Infirmary, Oxford, U.K.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE—This randomized crossover double-blind placebo-controlled study aimed to assess the efficacy of nateglinide (A-4166), a novel phenylalanine-derived insulin secretagogue, in type 2 diabetic subjects while fasting and 5 min before a standard meal.
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—A single dose of nateglinide (60, 120, or 180 mg) or placebo was given to eight diet-treated overnight-fasted type 2 diabetic patients and to seven patients 5 min before a standard breakfast. Plasma glucose, radioimmunoassay insulin, and nateglinide were measured at baseline and for a further 180 min.
RESULTS—The time-averaged 180-min postdose mean decrease in fasting plasma glucose concentration was greater after nateglinide (1.8 mmol/l; 95% CI 1.5–2.0) than after placebo (0.7 mmol/l; 95% CI 0.3–1.2) (P < 0.001). Hypoglycemia did not develop in any of the subjects. Insulin concentrations increased 1.5-, 1.8-, and 1.9-fold with the 60-, 120-, and 180-mg doses, respectively (P < 0.001), peaking ∼30 min after the dose. Nateglinide concentrations peaked after ∼30 min, decreasing to 21% of peak by 180 min. In the meal test, the mean increase (2.9 mmol/l, 2.3–3.6) in plasma glucose over 180 min after placebo was reduced by 1.8 mmol/l (P < 0.001) with the two higher doses of nateglinide.
CONCLUSIONS—A single dose of nateglinide administered to diet-treated type 2 diabetic patients with fasting hyperglycemia increased insulin secretion and reduced fasting glucose without hypoglycemia. Administered 5 min before a meal, nateglinide reduced the postprandial glucose excursion by 64%. With its rapid onset and short duration of action, nateglinide is a promising oral prandial therapy in type 2 diabetes.
Footnotes
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Address correspondence and reprint requests to Dr. Jonathan C. Levy, The Radcliffe Infirmary NHS Trust, Woodstock Road, Oxford OX2 6HE. E-mail: jonathan.levy{at}drl.oox.ac.uk.
Received for publication 16 January 2001 and accepted in revised form 30 March 2001.
J.C.L. has received a consulting fee from Novartis for participation in the U.K. West Midlands Advisory Board. Novartis is currently marketing nateglinide in the U.K. under the trade name Starlix.
A table elsewhere in this issue shows conventional and Système International (SI) units and conversion factors for many substances.
