Sitagliptin but not alpha glucosidase inhibitor reduced the serum soluble CD163, a marker for activated macrophage, in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

<bold>Aims: </bold>Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor (DPP-4i) is commonly used worldwide for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. In addition to its hypoglycemic activity, DPP-4i might have anti-inflammatory effects. In this study we examined the effects of DPP-4i on the serum levels of soluble CD163 (sCD163), a marker for activated macrophages, in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus. We compared these anti-inflammatory effects with those of α glucosidase inhibitor (αGI).<bold>Methods: </bold>Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who were stably maintained on ≤2mg/day glimepiride alone were recruited and randomly assigned to receive additional sitagliptin (n=37) or αGI (n=37). Levels of sCD163 were measured before the addition and after a 24-week treatment period.<bold>Results: </bold>Addition of sitagliptin significantly reduced the serum sCD163 (632 vs. 575ng/mL, p<0.05), while αGI did not display this effect (624 vs. 607ng/mL). The changes in levels of sCD163 were not related to changes in either HbA1c or body mass index (BMI).<bold>Conclusions: </bold>Our results suggested that DPP-4i might exert anti-inflammatory effects in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus, which are independent of its effects on glycemia and BMI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]