Abstract
No study has ever examined the effect of vitamin C with metformin on fasting (FBS) and postmeal blood glucose (PMBG) as well as glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). The goal was to examine the effect of oral vitamin C with metformin on FBS, PMBG, HbA1c, and plasma ascorbic acid level (PAA) with type 2 DM. Seventy patients with type 2 DM participated in a prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 12-week study. The patients with type 2 DM were divided randomly into placebo and vitamin C group of 35 each. Both groups received the treatment for twelve weeks. Decreased PAA levels were found in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. This level was reversed significantly after treatment with vitamin C along with metformin compared to placebo with metformin. FBS, PMBG, and HbA1c levels showed significant improvement after 12 weeks of treatment with vitamin C. In conclusion, oral supplementation of vitamin C with metformin reverses ascorbic acid levels, reduces FBS, PMBG, and improves HbA1c. Hence, both the drugs in combination may be used in the treatment of type 2 DM to maintain good glycemic control.
Highlights
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the major metabolic disorders associated with great deal of morbidity and economic cost
The inclusion criteria were patients from Outpatient Department (OPD) of Medicine and diagnosed patients of type 2 DM of age group between thirty to sixty years who were on metformin and having fasting blood glucose level in the range of 126 to 250 mg/dL
Postmeal blood glucose, and plasma ascorbic acid levels did not differ among subjects before receiving placebo and vitamin C treatment (P > 0.05)
Summary
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the major metabolic disorders associated with great deal of morbidity and economic cost. Available oral hypoglycemic agents do not show marked improvement in oxidative stress in diabetic patients [4]. Up-to-date, available literature suggests conflicting results related to supplementation of vitamin C and improvement in blood glucose level and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) [7, 8]. No study has ever examined the effects of vitamin C with metformin in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus, especially on postmeal blood glucose (PPBG) level. It was considered worthwhile to measure the effect of vitamin C along with metformin on levels of FBG, PPBG, HbA1c, and plasma ascorbic acid in a double-blind, controlled study for longer duration in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus
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