Effects of Berberine Plus Inulin on Diabetes Care in Patients With Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA) is a hybrid form of diabetes, characterized by autoimmune destruction of pancreatic β-cells as well as insulin resistance and is triggered by environmental factors in the context of genetic susceptibility. Meanwhile，blood glucose management is the cornerstone of diabetes care and poor glycemic control will cause a series of diabetes complications. This study will focus on improving the quality of life of LADA patients and blood glucose management as the starting point to explore the improvement effects of combined drugs on the development of diabetes.

Inulin is a common prebiotic that has been shown to improve glycemic control, alter the gut microbiota and suppress inflammation. Berberine(BBR), a small alkaloid isolated from medicinal plants, has been reported to have many therapeutic effects, including anti-bacteria, anti-diabetes, and lipid-lowering. Besides, studies revealed that BBR exerts antidiabetic effects by modulating gut microbiota. In a multicentre, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled 12-week clinical trial conducted in 409 drug-naive T2D patients, Wang et al. confirmed the hypoglycaemic effect of BBR in Chinese participants and demonstrated the BBR-induced changes in the human gut microbiome in comparison with the placebo. Moreover, Ho et al. conducted a randomized, placebo-controlled trial in 38 children with type 1 diabetes using placebo or prebiotic oligofructose-enriched inulin for 12 weeks, and found that oral supplement of the prebiotic could improve glycemic status and β cell function. So we speculate that BBR and inulin combination can also improve glycemic control in the patients with LADA.

This study is a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. The study comprises once screening, the 1-month run-in period, the 3-month treatment period and the 9-month follow-up period. After obtaining the informed consent from the patient who is willing to participate the 3-month treatment will enter to the 1-month run-in period. According to the inclusion/exclusion criteria, the eligible patients will be randomized to the 3-month treatment period. Patients will be randomized into four groups : BBR-alone, inulin+BBR, inulin-alone, or placebo. The primary outcome is to assess the change in glycated hemoglobin levels. Dynamic blood glucose parameters, β-cell function and gut microbiota, as well as adverse events and quality of life will be monitored.