Urinary sulphated glycosaminoglycans excretion in obese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus treated with metformin

Objective: The pattern of urinary excretion of total sulphated glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and their particular types: chondroitin sulphate/dermatan sulphate (CS/DS) and heparan sulphate (HS) was analysed in obese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) treated with metformin in monotherapy for the period of six months. Methods: The urinary sulphated glycosaminoglycans were quantitated using standardised dye (1.9-dimethylmethylene blue)-binding method and normalised to creatinine level. Results: Urinary total GAGs, CS/DS and HS levels were significantly higher in untreated diabetic patients in comparison to healthy subjects. Moreover, it was observed that urinary total GAGs, CS/DS and HS levels in diabetic patients after six-month metformin therapy were significantly decreased versus pre-treatment situation. Conclusions: The obtained results suggest that the six-month treatment with metformin in obese patients with T2DM has a regulating influence on the systemic changes in proteoglycans/glycosaminoglycans, resulting in a decrease in the urinary excretion of total GAGs, CS/DS and HS.

Automated summary

This study analyzed the pattern of urinary excretion of total sulphated glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and their particular types in obese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) treated with metformin. The results showed that metformin therapy for six months significantly decreased the urinary excretion of total GAGs, CS/DS, and HS.