1911-LB: Effect of Anthocyanin Supplementation on β-cell Function and Insulin Sensitivity in Subjects With Impaired Glucose Tolerance—Role of Skin AGEs

• Published in: Diabetes (New York, N.Y.) Vol. 74; no. Supplement_1; p. 1
• Main Author: ZHAO, LINA
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York American Diabetes Association 20.06.2025
• Subjects: Advanced glycosylation end products; Anthocyanins; Beta cells; Glucose; Glucose tolerance; Insulin; Placebos; Skin; Skin tests; Supplements
• ISSN: 0012-1797; 1939-327X
• DOI: 10.2337/db25-1911-LB

Introduction and Objective: Anthocyanin supplementation is a promising nutritional intervention for prediabetes, while the efficacy varies due to the heterogeneity of diseases. Efficacy of anthocyanin supplementation in subjects with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) is evaluated and possible mechanisms are further explored. Methods: A 12-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled (anthocyanin 160 mg/day or placebo) trial was conducted along with routine lifestyle guidance involving 68 participants(age 37.7 ± 8.5 years, BMI 26.1 ± 3.5 kg/m2) with IGT. β-cell function (disposition index, DI), insulin sensitivity (Matsuda index), glucose/insulin AUC during a 2-hour 75-gram oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), and skin advanced glycation end products (AGEs, measured by skin autofluorescence, SAF) were measured. Analyses followed intention-to-treat principles. Results: Reversal rate of IGT was significantly higher in anthocyanin supplementation group than placebo group (58.8% vs. 29.4%, P = 0.013), in parallel with a greater improvement in insulin sensitivity (Matsuda index, P = 0.005). However, no significant differences were found in β-cell function as indicated by DI between groups (P =0.316). Interestingly, a significant decrease of skin AGEs level was observed (P = 0.002) only in anthocyanin group. The reduction in skin AGEs correlated with both the decrease in postprandial glucose AUC (ρ = 0.390, P = 0.001) and the increase in Matsuda index (ρ =−0.262, P = 0.031). Conclusion: Anthocyanin supplementation could significantly reverse IGT by improving insulin sensitivity rather than β-cell function. The reduction of skin AGEs by anthocyanin supplementation might play a critical role which could serve as an effective indicator and target for the precision nutritional treatment of IGT.