Improved glycemic status, insulin resistance and inflammation after receiving oral oleoylethanolamide supplement in people with prediabetes: a randomized controlled trial

Background: The anti-inflammatory properties of cannabinoids have been shown. This study was conducted to assess effect of oleoylethanolamide (OEA) supplementation on glycemic status, insulin resistance (IR) and inflammatory factor in pre-diabetic individuals.

Methods: This double-blind randomized clinical trial was done at Qazvin University of Medical Sciences in which 46 pre-diabetic patients were divided into two equal groups and received one 125 mg OEA capsule in the intervention group (23 subjects) and 125 mg capsule containing wheat flour in placebo group daily for 8 weeks. After collecting demographic information, at the beginning and end of the study, the questionnaires of physical activity, 24-hour food recall were completed and blood glucose (BG), plasma insulin level, IR, hemoglobin A₁c (HbA₁c), and C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software.

Results: At the beginning and end of the study, there was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of anthropometric indices, food intake and physical activity (P > 0.05). At the end of the study, consumption of OEA significantly reduced BS, insulin, IR, HbA₁c, and CRP (P < 0.05). No significant change was observed in mentioned biochemical factors in placebo group (P > 0.05).

Conclusions: Given that OEA supplementation improved the glycemic status, IR and reduced the inflammatory factor, use of this supplement can be introduced as a useful supplement to control pre-diabetes status.

Trial registration: The protocol of this clinical trial is registered with the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials ( http://www.IRCT.IR , identifier: IRCT20141025019669N16).