Scientists have long suspected that inflammatory processes play a role in certain chronic diseases, such as Type 2 diabetes and atherosclerosis, and now there’s preliminary evidence. In a clinical trial involving 104 patients, an anti-inflammatory drug related to aspirin called salsalate lowered blood levels of hemoglobin A1c levels and triglycerides slightly in Type 2 diabetics. (Hemoglobin A1c levels are the “gold standard” for monitoring long-term effectiveness of glucose control in diabetic patients.)
Scientists caution that no one should start taking salsalate just yet to try to prevent or treat diabetes or atherosclerosis. Larger clinical studies involving many more patients will be needed before salsalate is becomes a standard treatment for these diseases. Nevertheless, these preliminary findings bring us just a little bit closer to an understanding of the link between obesity and inflammation, and whether (and if so, how) inflammation contributes to chronic diseases such as Type 2 diabetes.
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