Effect of glyburide and omega 3 fatty acid dietary supplements on glucose and lipid metabolism in patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Using a random crossover design, we examined the effects of glyburide for 4 wk on glucose, insulin, lipid, and lipoprotein metabolism in 10 men with non-insulin-dependent diabetes (NIDDM) receiving dietary fish-oil concentrates containing omega 3 (n-3) fatty acids (8 g/d). Compared with glyburide alone, fasting plasma glucose concentrations increased with fish oil. Although glyburide with fish oil decreased fasting glucose concentrations, they did not return to baseline. Basal insulin concentrations were unaltered by fish oil without or with glyburide; however, postprandial insulin concentrations were decreased by fish oil. Although total cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations were unchanged, very-low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations decreased and low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol rose and apolipoprotein B concentrations trended higher. Thus, glyburide only partially rectified the impaired fuel homeostasis associated with fish-oil supplements in patients with NIDDM. Therefore, we do not recommend intake of fish oil concentrates containing n-3 fatty acids in patients with NIDDM.