Comparative the Effect of Metformin and Acupuncture on Weight Loss and Insulin Sensitivity

Placebo-controlled, Randomized, Double Blind Trial, What is the Therapeutic Effect of Metformin and Acupuncture Combined Therapy in Comparison With Metformin Monotherapy on Weight Loss and Insulin Sensitivity in Diabetic Patients

The investigators designed this randomized double blind (patients/ assessor) clinical trial to compare the therapeutic effects of Metformin monotherapy with Metformin and acupuncture combined therapy on weight loss and insulin sensitivity among overweight/obese type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients. We compared the inflammatory markers, lipid profiles, and adipokines in overweight/obese T2DM patients receiving the combined therapy to those receiving the Metformin monotherapy, to understand whether acupuncture plus Metformin is a better approach then Metformin only on treating diabetes.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Obesity; Insulin Sensitivity
• Intervention / Treatment: Drug: metformin; Other: acupuncture

Detailed Description

From 39 participants, 19 participants were sent to case group and 20 to control group according to above mentioned method of randomization by independent research assistant. In the case group enrolled participants were treated with Metformin monotherapy and received electro acupuncture (EA) and Auricular acupuncture at the selected acupoints, and participants in a control group were treated with Metformin monotherapy and received sham EA. All patients were blinded to treatment assignment during the period of study and assessor was blinded to name of the patients and results as well. IR was calculated by the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) proposed by Matthews et al. HOMA-IR = (fasting insulin (mmol/L) × fasting glucose (µIU/ml))/22.5; body height was measured to an accuracy of +/-0.1cm; body weight was measured while the subjects were dressed in light clothing after an overnight fasting by standard scale to an accuracy of +/-0.1 kg; The body mass index (BMI) was calculated by dividing weight (kg) into height (squared m²). Blood markers including fasting blood sugar (FBS), fasting insulin (FINS), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis α (TNFα), C reactive protein (CRP), leptin, adiponectin, resistin, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), HOMA index , free fatty acid (FFAs), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLc), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLc) , and ceramides; were calculated by measuring them after drawing 10 ml of blood from cubital vein in each patient after 8 hours overnight fasting, before treatment, and for FBS, FINS and HOMA index 30 min after treatment additionally, 3 times during the study (in the beginning, in the 5th time and at the end) from both groups, with the chosen for this research standard range. All data with standard range were managed by Epi-data software, then analyzed by Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software 15.0.0 (6 Sep 2006). The investigators statistics method included T-test and repeated measures ANOVA. P-Value<0.05 was statistically significant in this trial

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 43
• Phase: Not Applicable

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 20 years to 65 years (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Who had been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus and has using Metformin monotherapy as well to control their diabetes during the period of this study as previously (500 mg one/two/three times per day)
• All patients were overweight according to BMI ≥25

Exclusion Criteria:

• Individuals with nephritic syndrome (urine protein over 3.5 g/day), edema or renal failure (serum creatinine over 115 µmol/L)
• Individuals who had been diagnosed with heart failure (NYHA Fc III-IV) or who had been a pacemaker implanted
• Individuals with abnormal liver dysfunction (GOT and glutamate-pyruvate transaminase (GPT) levels twofold above the normal range) or a diagnosis of liver cirrhosis
• Individuals with a high HbA1C level (HbA1C above 9 %)
• Pregnant women
• Individuals who were receiving insulin therapy already
• Individuals who receive other therapy or had any change at dosage during the period of therapy
• Individuals who were suffering from endocrine abnormalities such as Thyroid disease, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), etc
• Individuals who were receiving weight loss medicine, anti depressant agents' or hormonal medicines during the last 3 months and the period of study
• Individuals who were suffering from a homeostasis disorder or other systemic disease
• Individuals who did not comply(signed informed consent) with the treatment during the study period

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Double

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: metformin & acupuncture; Metformin 500 mg (one/two/three times per day), to control their diabetes during the period of this study as previously, and acupuncture treatment including electro body acupuncture and Auricular acupuncture for 30 minutes, 10 times, every other day, for 3 weeks.	Drug: metformin; metformin tablet 500 mg; Other: acupuncture; Electro body acupuncture and auricular acupuncture
Placebo Comparator: metformin & placebo; Metformin 500 mg (one/two/three times per day), to control their diabetes during the period of this study as previously, and placebo acupuncture treatment, needling not in right acupoints and EA machine was switched off during 30 minutes of therapeutic time. For ear acupuncture was just used sticky layers without seeds. All placebo treatment used for 30 minutes, 10 times, every other day, for 3 weeks.	Drug: metformin; metformin tablet 500 mg

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Body Weight	The effect of Metformin and acupuncture combined therapy on weight loss (Change from baseline in body weight), body weight was measured while the subjects were dressed in light clothing after an overnight fasting and by a standard scale to an accuracy of +/-0.1 kg. All measures were recorded by one assessment, at baseline before the first time treatment, and before the last time treatment at week 3.	baseline, week 3
Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS)	changes FBS, Blood markers were calculated by measuring them after drawing 10 ml of blood from cubital vein in each patient, after 8 hours of overnight fasting and before treatment; Blood was collected three times during the study (at the beginning, at the 5th time, and at the end), from groups, using standard range and ELISA diagnostic kits (Biomatik USA LLC, www.biomatik.com), and clinical assessments and measurements undertaken after 3 weeks. Readings/assessment was performed at 3 weeks.	baseline, week 2, week 3
Fasting Insulin (FINS)	change of FINS,Blood markers were calculated by measuring them after drawing 10 ml of blood from cubital vein in each patient, after 8 hours of overnight fasting and before treatment; Blood was collected three times during the study (at the beginning, at the 5th time, and at the end), from groups, using standard range and ELISA diagnostic kits (Biomatik USA LLC, www.biomatik.com), and clinical assessments and measurements undertaken after 3 weeks. Readings/assessment was performed at 3 weeks.	baseline, week 2, week 3
Interleukin-6 (IL-6)	IL-6 changes, IL-6 were calculated by measuring them after drawing 10 ml of blood from cubital vein in each patient, after 8 hours of overnight fasting and before treatment; Blood was collected three times during the study (at the beginning, at the 5th time, and at the end), from groups, using standard range and ELISA diagnostic kits (Biomatik USA LLC, www.biomatik.com), and clinical assessments and measurements undertaken after 3 weeks. Readings/assessment was performed at 3 weeks.	baseline, week 2, week 3
Tumor Necrosis Factor-α (TNF-α)	Blood markers changes in TNF α, were calculated by measuring them after drawing 10 ml of blood from cubital vein in each patient, after 8 hours of overnight fasting and before treatment; Blood was collected three times during the study (at the beginning, at the 5th time, and at the end), from groups, using standard range and ELISA diagnostic kits (Biomatik USA LLC, www.biomatik.com), and clinical assessments and measurements undertaken after 3 weeks. Readings/assessment was performed at 3 weeks.	baseline, week 2, week 3
C-reaction Protein (CRP)	CRP blood markers changes; Blood markers were calculated by measuring them after drawing 10 ml of blood from cubital vein in each patient, after 8 hours of overnight fasting and before treatment; Blood was collected three times during the study (at the beginning, at the 5th time, and at the end), from groups, using standard range and ELISA diagnostic kits (Biomatik USA LLC, www.biomatik.com), and clinical assessments and measurements undertaken after 3 weeks. Readings/assessment was performed at 3 weeks.	baseline, week 2, week 3
Free Fatty Acids (FFAs)	Blood markers were calculated by measuring them after drawing 10 ml of blood from cubital vein in each patient, after 8 hours of overnight fasting and before treatment; Blood was collected three times during the study (at the beginning, at the 5th time, and at the end), from groups, using standard range and ELISA diagnostic kits (Biomatik USA LLC, www.biomatik.com), and clinical assessments and measurements undertaken after 3 weeks. Readings/assessment was performed at 3 weeks.	baseline, week 2, week 3
Triglyceride (TG)		baseline, week 2, week 3
Low Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (LDLc)		baseline, week 2, week 3
High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (HDLc)	HDLc changes, Blood markers were calculated by measuring them after drawing 10 ml of blood from cubital vein in each patient, after 8 hours of overnight fasting and before treatment; Blood was collected three times during the study (at the beginning, at the 5th time, and at the end), from groups, using standard range and ELISA diagnostic kits (Biomatik USA LLC, www.biomatik.com), and clinical assessments and measurements undertaken after 3 weeks. Readings/assessment was performed at 3 weeks.	baseline, week 2, week 3
Ceramides	Changes in ceramides blood level, Blood markers were calculated by measuring them after drawing 10 ml of blood from cubital vein in each patient, after 8 hours of overnight fasting and before treatment; Blood was collected three times during the study (at the beginning, at the 5th time, and at the end), from groups, using standard range and ELISA diagnostic kits (Biomatik USA LLC, www.biomatik.com), and clinical assessments and measurements undertaken after 3 weeks. Readings/assessment was performed at 3 weeks.	baseline, week 2, week 3
Leptin	changes in Leptin blood level, Blood markers were calculated by measuring them after drawing 10 ml of blood from cubital vein in each patient, after 8 hours of overnight fasting and before treatment; Blood was collected three times during the study (at the beginning, at the 5th time, and at the end), from groups, using standard range and ELISA diagnostic kits (Biomatik USA LLC, www.biomatik.com), and clinical assessments and measurements undertaken after 3 weeks. Readings/assessment was performed at 3 weeks.	baseline, week 2, week 3
Adiponectin	Changes in Adiponectin blood level, Blood markers were calculated by measuring them after drawing 10 ml of blood from cubital vein in each patient, after 8 hours of overnight fasting and before treatment; Blood was collected three times during the study (at the beginning, at the 5th time, and at the end), from groups, using standard range and ELISA diagnostic kits (Biomatik USA LLC, www.biomatik.com), and clinical assessments and measurements undertaken after 3 weeks. Readings/assessment was performed at 3 weeks.	baseline, week 2, week 3
Glucagon-like Peptide-1 (GLP-1)	changes in GLP-1 blood level, Blood markers were calculated by measuring them after drawing 10 ml of blood from cubital vein in each patient, after 8 hours of overnight fasting and before treatment; Blood was collected three times during the study (at the beginning, at the 5th time, and at the end), from groups, using standard range and ELISA diagnostic kits (Biomatik USA LLC, www.biomatik.com), and clinical assessments and measurements undertaken after 3 weeks. Readings/assessment was performed at 3 weeks.	baseline, week 2, week 3
Resistin	Changes in Resistin blood level, Blood markers were calculated by measuring them after drawing 10 ml of blood from cubital vein in each patient, after 8 hours of overnight fasting and before treatment; Blood was collected three times during the study (at the beginning, at the 5th time, and at the end), from groups, using standard range and ELISA diagnostic kits (Biomatik USA LLC, www.biomatik.com), and clinical assessments and measurements undertaken after 3 weeks. Readings/assessment was performed at 3 weeks.	baseline, week 2, week 3
Serotonin	changes in Serotonin blood level, Blood markers were calculated by measuring them after drawing 10 ml of blood from cubital vein in each patient, after 8 hours of overnight fasting and before treatment; Blood was collected three times during the study (at the beginning, at the 5th time, and at the end), from groups, using standard range and ELISA diagnostic kits (Biomatik USA LLC, www.biomatik.com), and clinical assessments and measurements undertaken after 3 weeks. Readings/assessment was performed at 3 weeks.	baseline, week 2, week 3

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Body Mass Index (BMI)	change of BMI. Body height was measured to an accuracy of +/-0.1cm. BMI was calculated by dividing weight (kg) into height (squared m²).	baseline, week 3
HOMA-IR	Changes of IR was calculated by the homeostasis model (HOMA-IR), proposed by Matthews et al. HOMA-IR = (fasting insulin (mmol/L) × fasting glucose (µIU/ml))/22•5. Blood markers were calculated by measuring them after drawing 10 ml of blood from cubital vein in each patient, after 8 hours of overnight fasting and before treatment; Blood was collected three times during the study (at the beginning, at the 5th time, and at the end), from groups, using standard range and ELISA diagnostic kits (Biomatik USA LLC, www.biomatik.com), and clinical assessments and measurements undertaken after 3 weeks. Readings/assessment was performed at 3 weeks.	baseline, week 2, week 3

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Amir Firouzjaei
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Amir Firouzjaei, Clinical PhD, Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start: May 1, 2014
• Primary Completion (Actual): January 1, 2015
• Study Completion (Actual): April 1, 2015

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: April 21, 2015
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: May 5, 2015
• First Posted (Estimate): May 8, 2015

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Estimate): December 8, 2016
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: October 14, 2016
• Last Verified: October 1, 2016

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: insulin sensitivity; obesity; acupuncture; metformin; lipid profile; adipokines; inflammatory factor; type 2 diabetic mellitus
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Glucose Metabolism Disorders; Metabolic Diseases; Immune System Diseases; Body Weight; Hyperinsulinism; Body Weight Changes; Hypersensitivity; Weight Loss; Insulin Resistance; Hypoglycemic Agents; Physiological Effects of Drugs; Metformin
• Other Study ID Numbers: NanjingUTCM

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: UNDECIDED