5-aminolevulinic acid, a precursor of heme, reduces both fasting and postprandial glucose levels in mildly hyperglycemic subjects

5-aminolevulinic acid, a precursor of heme, reduces both fasting and postprandial glucose levels in mildly hyperglycemic subjects

  1. Project Research Center for Clinical Trial and Preventive Medicine, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
  2. Department of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Health, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
  3. Clinical Research Center, Hiroshima University Hospital, Hiroshima, Japan
  4. SBI Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan

An oral intake of ALA would be a novel approach to prevent type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Abstract

Objective

The aim of this study was to evaluate the combined effects of 5-aminolevulinic acid phosphate (ALA-P) and iron on the glycemic index in mildly hyperglycemic adults.

Methods

This double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled trial comprised 212 subjects (ages 35–70 y, fasting plasma glucose 105–125 mg/dL or hemoglobin (Hb)A1c 6.1%–7.1%). These participants were randomly assigned to four groups receiving either one of three doses of ALA-P and iron as sodium ferrous citrate (5 mg and 0.6 mg, 5 mg and 1.8 mg, or 15 mg and 1.8 mg, respectively) or a placebo, administered orally once a day over a 12-wk period.

Results

Fifteen mg ALA-P plus 1.8 mg iron decreased the fasting plasma glucose level (2.32 mg/dL, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.24–4.42, P = 0.029), serum glycoalbumin (0.22%, 95% CI, 0.02–0.42; P = 0.031), and 2h-oral glucose tolerance test levels (14.2 mg/dL, 95% CI, 1.8–26.6; P = 0.025) more than the placebo. However, the levels of HbA1c, fasting insulin, serum 1,5-anhydro-d-glucitol, and Homeostasis Model of Assessment-Insulin Resistance showed no appreciable changes. The participant numbers with impaired glucose tolerance and impaired fasting glucose decreased in the highest dosage group of ALA-P plus iron compared with the placebo group.

Conclusion

An oral intake of ALA would be a novel approach to prevent type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Journal abstract: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0899900713001007

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