Salsalate Treatment Lowers Glycosylated Hemoglobin Levels

Inflammation might be important in the etiology of type 2 diabetes. In small pilot studies (2–4 weeks in duration), the anti-inflammatory drug salsalate averted hyperglycemia. Salsalate, a prodrug of salicylic acid, is associated with less bleeding and gastrointestinal toxicity than is aspirin. Researchers tested whether salsalate (at daily doses of 3–4 g) had an effect on glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA_1c) levels in 108 patients with type 2 diabetes in a 14-week randomized placebo-controlled trial funded by the U.S. National Institutes of Health. Many patients also were taking hypoglycemic medications or low-dose aspirin.

Declines of ≥0.5% from baseline HbA_1c levels were more common with salsalate than with placebo (15% of placebo recipients v…