Background: To compare the effects of voglibose and glimepiride on adipose tissue and metabolic abnormalities in obese patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes.
Method: Total of 40 obese patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes (BMI > 25 kg/㎡) were included in this study. Study patients were randomized into voglibose group (n = 20) and glimepiride group (n = 20), where respective medication was administered for 12 weeks. We assessed the changes of biochemical parameters, body composition and serum adiponectin levels.
Results: The voglibose treated group achieved a significant decrease in BMI, total body fat mass, and percent body fat (P < 0.05) after 12 weeks. A reduction in both subcutaneous and visceral abdominal adipose tissue area and VSR (visceral fat area / subcutaneous fat area) were noted only in the voglibose group (P < 0.05). Serum lipid profiles were similar between the two groups, except for the decrease in triglyceride levels, which were significant only in the voglibose group (P < 0.05). Serum adiponectin levels were increased only in the voglibose group (P < 0.05).
Conclusions: In this study, voglibose showed to significantly decrease adipose tissue and improve adiponectin level.

Keywords: Adiponectin, Adipose tissue, Glimepiride, Voglibose