Effect of combined gliclazide/metformin treatment on oxidative stress, lipid profile, and hepatorenal functions in type 2 diabetic patients

BACKGROUND: Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition that requires pharmacotherapy interventions. Metformin and gliclazide are widely used drugs in monotherapy. However, their complementary action made utilization of the combination of these drugs an appealing approach. AIMS: The study compared major therapeutic potentials of combined metformin/gliclazide treatment over metformin monotherapy based on the following parameters: oxidative stress, lipid profile, and hepatorenal functions. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This is a comparative study was conducted from March 2015 to March 2016. The study screened 80 type 2 diabetic patients, of which 40 patients underwent combined metformin + gliclazide therapy (500 mg BD + 80 mg OD, respectively). The other 40 were matched for age and duration of diabetes mellitus with the previous group and received metformin monotherapy (500 mg BD). The levels of fasting blood glucose (FBG), total glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), lipid peroxidation, total antioxidant capacity, serum creatinine, aspartate and alanine transaminases, total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoproteins, and low-density lipoproteins were measured according to the standard methods. RESULTS: Oxidative stress, lipid profile, and hepatorenal functions were comparable in patients of both groups. However, patients on metformin treatment showed significantly lower levels of FBG [7.61 (6.70–8.89) mmol/L vs. 9.00 (7.30–10.68) mmol/L; P = .022] and HBA1c [7.00 (6.40–7.65)% vs. 8.20 (7.20–9.75)%; P < .001] compared to those on combined therapy. CONCLUSION: Oxidative stress, lipids profile, and hepatorenal functions were not different in patients who were on combined metformin/gliclazide therapy and compared to those metformin alone. In contrast, glycemic control was poor in the diabetic patients undergoing combined therapy.