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Senior Citizen Health & Medicine
Ability of Aspirin-Like Drug Salsalate to Lower
Glucose in Diabetics Begins Trial
University of Illinois one of 16 sites needing
volunteers in large NIH clinical trial
Aug. 24, 2007 - Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory
medications (NSAIDs), cherished by millions of senior citizens for their
ability to relieve pain, have taken a beating in recent years for a
potential to increase certain health risks, including heart attack; but
they have survived as popular pain relievers. Now, one of these drugs,
salsalate, marketed as Disalcid and Salflex, could be on its way to
fame. It is being tested for its potential to lower blood glucose levels
in adults with type 2 diabetes, a massive chronic problem for older
people.
This new clinical trial, which is seeking
volunteers, will investigate whether this common anti-inflammatory drug
known as salsalate can reduce blood glucose levels in people with type
2, or adult onset, diabetes.
Salsalate is chemically similar to aspirin and has
been used for more than 40 years to treat pain associated with
arthritis, according to the researchers.
Nearly 21 million people in the United States have
diabetes. Type 2 diabetes accounts for about 90 percent to 95 percent of
diagnosed cases and is closely linked to obesity, cardiovascular
disease, blindness, kidney disease and amputations. People with type 2
diabetes die at rates two to four times higher than those who do not
have diabetes.
This massive study also has established its own
Website to recruit participants and explain the project. It is called
TINSAL-T2D (link below news report). It is a multi-center research study
funded by the National Institutes of Health.
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About Salsalate |
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Salsalate is used to relieve pain, tenderness,
swelling, and stiffness caused by rheumatoid arthritis (arthritis caused
by swelling of the lining of the joints), osteoarthritis (arthritis
caused by a breakdown of the lining of the joints), and other conditions
that cause swelling.
Salsalate is in a class of nonsteroidal
anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) called salicylates. It works by
stopping the body's production of a substance that causes pain, fever,
and swelling.
More about Salsalate at MedlinePlus
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Recent research suggests that chronic inflammation
may be involved in the development of insulin resistance and type 2
diabetes, says Theodore Mazzone, professor of medicine at University of
Illinois at Chicago and principal investigator of the clinical trial at
that site.
"By targeting the underlying cause, we hope to
determine if reducing inflammation, and thereby lowering blood glucose
levels, is a safe and cost-effective treatment for diabetes," Mazzone
said. "If this drug treatment is successful, we may also be able to
reduce a person's risk of developing associated health problems, such as
elevated cholesterol levels and coronary artery disease."
UIC is one of 16 sites in the United States taking
part in the large-scale study funded by the National Institute of
Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, part of the National
Institutes of Health.
About 800 adults with poorly controlled blood
glucose levels are being sought to participate in the three-year,
multi-center study.
Researchers are seeking adults ages 18 to 75 whose
glucose levels are not well controlled and who do not take insulin.
Eligible participants may use no medication or take up to two oral
medications to control their diabetes.
During the study, participants will be randomized
to receive either salsalate or a placebo and will receive all medication
and treatments related to the study free of charge. Participants will
also be compensated for time and travel.
For more information about the UIC study, call
Felecia Gilet at (312) 355-4442.
TINSAL-T2D - For more information about the
clinical trials –
Click here to special Website.
For more information about UIC, go to
http://www.uic.edu
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