According to a team led by Allison B. Goldfine, M.D., of Harvard and the Joslin Diabetes Center, reported in the February issue of Diabetes Care, in patients at a high risk for type 2 diabetes, the mild NSAID salsalate (a nonacetylated salicylate) may help prevent the disease.

"These data support the hypothesis that subacute chronic inflammation contributes to the pathogenesis of obesity-related dysglycemia and targeting inflammation may provide a therapeutic route for diabetes prevention," the authors concluded.

"This proof-of-principle study suggests a physiologically relevant approach to improving the inflammatory milieu associated with obesity," they added.

Obesity and high-fat diets activate inflammatory processes that promote insulin resistance. Targeting the inflammatory pathway may therefore offer a novel approach to prevention and treatment of diabetes, the authors noted.

The antidiabetic effects of salicylates have been known for years. For example high-dose aspirin has improved fasting and postprandial hyperglycemia in diabetic patients. Recent studies have shown that aspirin's hypoglycemic effects involve inhibition of NF-κB, which integrates proinflammatory signals, the authors continued.

Because of teh risk of bleeding, aspirin is not suitable for use in diabetes.

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