Liraglutide ameliorates beta-cell function, alleviates oxidative stress and inhibits low grade inflammation in young patients with new-onset type 2 diabetes

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of type 2 diabetes in youth is escalating rapidly. We aimed to evaluate the effects of liraglutide on beta-cell function, metabolic productions of oxidative stress, low grade inflammation compared with metformin in young patients with recent onset type 2 diabetes mellitus. METHODS: Sixty patients were randomly assigned to receive 8-week liraglutide or metformin treatment. Beta-cell function was assessed by modified beta cell function index (MBCI), early phase of insulin secretion index (ΔI30/ΔG30), proinsuin to insulin ratio (P/I) and the insulin area under the curve (AUCins). The expression of 8-OH-dG and 8-iso-PGF(2α) and hs-C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were measured as indications of oxidative stress and low grade inflammation. RESULTS: After 8 weeks liraglutide treatment, MBCI, ΔI30/ΔG30, AUCins significantly increased, 8-OH-dG, 8-iso-PGF(2α), P/I and hs-CRP remarkably reduced. The differences before and after 8-week liraglutide treatment in ΔMBCI (11.1 [2.81, 43.08] vs 0.00 [− 8.16, 10.47], P = 0.017), ΔLNΔI30/ΔG30 (0.44 [0.04, 0.85] vs − 0.09 [− 0.33, 0.36], P = 0.049), ΔAUCins (117 [− 8, 376] vs − 21 [− 314, 109] mIU/L, P = 0.013), ΔP/I (− 0.05 [− 0.09, − 0.03] vs − 0.02 [− 0.04, 0.01], P = 0.026)were remarkably enhanced compared to those of the metformin therapy. The expression of 8-OH-dG, 8-iso-PGF(2α) and hs-CRP also decreased after 8-week metformin treatment. CONCLUSIONS: These data demonstrated that liraglutide administration was more effective on ameliorating beta-cell function than metformin treatment in young patients with new-onset type 2 diabetes mellitus. Both liraglutide and metformin could alleviate the level of oxidative stress and attenuate low grade inflammatory, we speculate this effect may not the main mechanism of beta-cell function improvement by liraglutide in diabetic patients. Trial registration Chinese Clinical Trials registry, chiCTR1800018008, Registered 27 August 2018—retrospectively registered. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (10.1186/s13098-018-0392-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.