Effect of ketotifen in obese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Aim: Mast cells are found to be an important contributor in obesity induced insulin resistance. We evaluate the effect of ketotifen in obese patient with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) treated with glimepiride.

Method: In a randomized controlled study we recruited forty-eight obese patients with T2DM from Internal Medicine Department at Tanta University Hospital, Egypt. They were classified into three groups: group 1, those who received glimepiride (GL) 3mg/d alone; group 2, those who received GL 3mg/d+ketotifen 1mg once daily; and group 3, those who received GL 3mg/d+ketotifen 1mg twice daily. Fasting blood samples were obtained before and 12weeks after treatment for biochemical analysis of glycemic and inflammatory biomarkers. Data were statistically analyzed by paired Student's t-test and one way analysis of variance; p<0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: The obtained data suggested that the addition of ketotifen in twice daily dose has a beneficial effect on all measured parameters except adiponectin. However, glimepiride plus ketotifen once daily only affected the level of inflammatory biomarkers without any significant effect on other parameters.

Conclusions: The co-administration of ketotifen twice daily plus glimepiride improves glycemic and inflammatory process in obese patients with T2DM.