Abstract
Purpose
To assess the effect of high-dose oral thiamine supplements on glucose tolerance in patients with impaired glucose metabolism.
Methods
Twelve hyperglycemic subjects (10 cases of impaired glucose tolerance and 2 new cases of type 2 diabetes) completed this randomized, double-blind trial, where all participants received both placebo and thiamine capsules (3 × 100 mg/day) for 6 weeks in a cross-over manner. The main endpoint was changes in 2-h plasma glucose. Fasting plasma glucose and insulin, 2-h plasma insulin, the hemostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), renal function measurement and thiamin status were also evaluated at the commencement and completion of each treatment period.
Results
Thiamine supplementation resulted in significant decrease in 2-h plasma glucose relative to baseline (8.78 ± 2.20 vs. 9.89 ± 2.50 mmol/l, p = 0.004), with no significant change in the placebo arm. Fasting plasma glucose and insulin, and HOMA-IR increased significantly from baseline after 6 weeks in the placebo arm (p = 0.003, p = 0.04 and p = 0.02, respectively). These variables did not change with thiamine supplementation. There were no significant changes in 2-h plasma insulin or renal function marker, within or between arms.
Conclusion/interpretation
Supplementation with high-dose thiamine may prevent deterioration in fasting glucose and insulin, and improve glucose tolerance in patients with hyperglycemia. High-dose thiamine supplementation may prevent or slow the progression of hyperglycemia toward diabetes mellitus in individuals with impaired glucose regulation.
Abbreviations
- eGFR:
-
Estimated glomerular filtration rate
- IGT:
-
Impaired glucose tolerance
- GFAT:
-
Glutaminefructose-6-phosphate amidotransferase
- RBC:
-
Red blood cell
- TPP:
-
Thiamine pyrophosphate
- TRMA:
-
Thiamine-responsive megaloblastic anemia
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Acknowledgments
This study was funded by an intramural grant.
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None.
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Trial registration: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12611000051943.
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Alaei Shahmiri, F., Soares, M.J., Zhao, Y. et al. High-dose thiamine supplementation improves glucose tolerance in hyperglycemic individuals: a randomized, double-blind cross-over trial. Eur J Nutr 52, 1821–1824 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-013-0534-6
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-013-0534-6