Effect of folic acid supplementation on indices of glycemic control, insulin resistance and lipid profile in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

ABSTRACT

This study was performed to determine the effects of supplementation of folate on indices of glycemic control, insulin resistance and lipid profile in in men with type 2 diabetes, under metformin [at least 1500mg daily] treatment. This was a double-blind randomized controlled clinical trial, in which 68 men with type 2 diabetes participated with written consents. Patients were randomly divided in two groups; folic acid Smg/day and placebo. All the patients received the tablets for 8 weeks. Anthropometric and nutrient intakes data were obtained from each patient, and baseline and 8th week fasting blood glucose, HbA1C, serum insulin, insulin resistance, serum total cholestrol, TG, LDL-C, HDL-C, serum folate and plasma homocysteine were measured. Supplementation with folic acid led to 6.3 percent decrease in HbA1C [P=0.019], 9.5 percent decrease in fasting blood glucose [P=0.006], 15.1 percent decrease in serum insulin [P=0.028], 17.2 percent decrease in insulin resistance [P=0.043] and 20 percent decrease in plasma homocysteine [P<0.001], 18.4 percent increase in serum folate [P<0.001]. No significant changes occurred in the placebo group [P>0.05]. A pharmacological dose of folic acid supplementation decreased plasma level of homocysteine and improved glycemic control, insulin resistance and folate levels, a finding which sugqests a safe and inexpensive therapy for lowering homocysteine and improving the overall management of diabetic patients