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Glycine treatment decreases proinflammatory cytokines and increases interferon-γ in patients with Type 2 diabetes

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Abstract

Background: Amino acids have been shown to stimulate insulin secretion and decrease glycated hemoglobin (A1C) in patients with Type 2 diabetes. In vitro, glycine reduces tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α secretion and increases interleukin-10 secretion in human monocytes stimulated with lipopolysaccharide. The aim of this study was to determine whether glycine modifies the proinflammatory profiles of patients with Type 2 diabetes. Materials/subjects and methods: Seventy-four patients, with Type 2 diabetes were enrolled in the study. The mean age was 58.5 yr, average age of diagnosis was 5 yr, the mean body mass index was 28.5 kg/m2, the mean fasting glucose level was 175.5 mg/dl and the mean A1C level was 8%. They were allocated to one of two treatments, 5 g/d glycine or 5 g/d placebo, po tid, for 3 months. Results: A1 C levels of patients given glycine were significantly lower after 3 months of treatment than those of the placebo group. A significant reduction in TNF-receptor I levels was observed in patients given glycine compared with placebo. There was a decrease of 38% in the interferon (IFN)-γ level of the group treated with placebo, whereas that of the group treated with glycine increased up to 43%. These data showed that patients treated with glycine had a significant decrease in A1C and in proinflammatory cytokines and also an important increase of IFN-γ. Conclusion: Treatment with glycine is likely to have a beneficial effect on innate and adaptive immune responses and may help prevent tissue damage caused by chronic inflammation in patients with Type 2 diabetes.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Biochemistry Medical Research Unit, Hospital de Especialidades, Centro Medico Nacional Siglo XXI. IMSS, Av. Cuauhtemoc 330, Col. Doctores. México D. F, CP. 06725, Mexico City, México

    M. Cruz PhD & R. Sanchez-Barrera

  2. Infectious Disease Medical Research Unit, Hospital de Pediatría, Mexico City, Mexico

    C. Maldonado-Bernal

  3. Dermatology and Micology Medical Research Unit, Mexico City, Mexico

    R. Mondragón-Gonzalez

  4. Clinic Epidemiology Medical Research Unit, Hospital de Especialidades, CMN S. XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Mexico City, Mexico

    N. H. Wacher

  5. National School of Biological Sciences, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico

    G. Carvajal-Sandoval

  6. IMSS Foundation, A.C., Mexico City, Mexico

    J. Kumate

Authors
  1. M. Cruz PhD
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  2. C. Maldonado-Bernal
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  3. R. Mondragón-Gonzalez
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  4. R. Sanchez-Barrera
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  5. N. H. Wacher
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  6. G. Carvajal-Sandoval
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  7. J. Kumate
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Correspondence to M. Cruz PhD.

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These authors contributed equally.

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Cruz, M., Maldonado-Bernal, C., Mondragón-Gonzalez, R. et al. Glycine treatment decreases proinflammatory cytokines and increases interferon-γ in patients with Type 2 diabetes. J Endocrinol Invest 31, 694–699 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03346417

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03346417

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