Study summary · research use only
Randomized Clinical Trial of How Long-Term Glutathione Supplementation Offers Protection from Oxidative Damage and Improves HbA1c in Elderly Type 2 Diabetic Patients
Plain-language summary
Paraphrased from the published abstract below — not a verdict on whether anything works.
In this human randomized clinical trial, 104 non-diabetic and 250 diabetic individuals aged between 30 and 78 years on anti-diabetic therapy were recruited, and 125 diabetic patients additionally received 500 mg oral glutathione (GSH) supplementation daily for six months. Fasting and postprandial glucose, insulin, HbA1c, GSH, oxidized glutathione (GSSG), and 8-hydroxy-2-deoxy guanosine (8-OHdG) were measured at recruitment and after three and six months. Blood GSH increased and 8-OHdG decreased significantly within three months in diabetic individuals. In a sub-group analysis, HbA1c and fasting insulin changed significantly in diabetic individuals above 55 years. The authors state GSH supplementation was associated with increased blood GSH and helped maintain baseline HbA1c overall.
Abstract
Complications in type 2 diabetes (T2D) arise from hyperglycemia-induced oxidative stress. Here, we examined the effectiveness of supplementation with the endogenous antioxidant glutathione (GSH) during anti-diabetic treatment. A total of 104 non-diabetic and 250 diabetic individuals on anti-diabetic therapy, of either sex and aged between 30 and 78 years, were recruited. A total of 125 diabetic patients were additionally given 500 mg oral GSH supplementation daily for a period of six months. Fasting and PP glucose, insulin, HbA1c, GSH, oxidized glutathione (GSSG), and 8-hydroxy-2-deoxy guanosine (8-OHdG) were measured upon recruitment and after three and six months of supplementation. Statistical significance and effect size were assessed longitudinally across all arms. Blood GSH increased (Cohen’s d = 1.01) and 8-OHdG decreased (Cohen’s d = −1.07) significantly within three months (p < 0.001) in diabetic individuals. A post hoc sub-group analysis showed that HbA1c (Cohen’s d = −0.41; p < 0.05) and fasting insulin levels (Cohen’s d = 0.56; p < 0.05) changed significantly in diabetic individuals above 55 years. GSH supplementation caused a significant increase in blood GSH and helped maintain the baseline HbA1c overall. These results suggest GSH supplementation is of considerable benefit to patients above 55 years, not only supporting decreased glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and 8-OHdG but also increasing fasting insulin. The clinical implication of our study is that the oral administration of GSH potentially complements anti-diabetic therapy in achieving better glycemic targets, especially in the elderly population.
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