BACKGROUND: The current study aimed to compare the effects of dapagliflozin and sitagliptin on insulin resistant and body fat distribution in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic patients.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study was an open-label, parallel controlled study. Patients were included if they were newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes (<6 months) and had been receiving dapagliflozin or sitagliptin for 12 weeks in combination with a stable dose of metformin in the last month. At baseline and 12 weeks, insulin resistant (homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance [HOMA-IR]), body fat distribution (waist/hip ratio), fasting blood glucose (FBG), glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), lipid profiles, and C-reactive protein (CRP) level were compared.

RESULTS: There were 59 patients receiving dapagliflozin and 67 patients receiving sitagliptin. There was no significant between-group difference in baseline characteristics. After 12 weeks of treatment, compared to the sitagliptin group, the FBG (6.4±0.5 versus 6.7±0.7 mmol/L), HbA1c (7.0±0.4 versus 7.2±0.5%), HOMA-IR (1.6±0.5 versus 1.8±0.6), triglyceride (1.6±0.4 versus 1.8±0.3 mmol/L), and CRP (3.1±0.7 versus 3.3±0.5 mg/L) were slightly lower in the dapagliflozin group. Within each group, compared to baseline, FBG (dapagliflozin [6.4±0.5 versus 7.8±0.7 mmol/L]; sitagliptin [6.7±0.7 versus 7.7±0.6 mmol/L]), HbA1c (dapagliflozin [7.0±0.4 versus 8.0±0.5%]; sitagliptin [7.2±0.5 versus 8.1%±0.6%]), HOMA-IR (dapagliflozin [1.6±0.5 versus 2.4±0.4]; sitagliptin [1.8±0.6 versus 2.5±0.4]), triglyceride (dapagliflozin [1.6±0.4 versus 2.2±0.5 mmol/L]; sitagliptin [1.8±0.3 versus 2.1±0.5 mmol/L]), and CRP (dapagliflozin [3.1±0.7 versus 6.2±1.1 mg/L]; sitagliptin [3.3±0.5 versus 6.1±1.0 mg/L]) were significantly decreased.

CONCLUSIONS: Dapagliflozin and sitagliptin had comparable effects on improving insulin resistant and blood glucose control, and these benefits may be associated with improvement of systemic inflammation.

Keywords: Body Fat Distribution, Diabetes Mellitus, Insulin Resistance, Benzhydryl Compounds, Blood Glucose, Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2, Glucosides, Glycated Hemoglobin A, Hypoglycemic Agents, Insulin, Metformin, Sitagliptin Phosphate