Tadalafil is a pharmaceutical substance known as a PDE5 inhibitor, a group that also includes Viagra.
PDE5 inhibitors are typically used to treat impotence or erectile dysfunction (ED).
Unlike other PDE5 inhibitors approved in Sweden, tadalafil is long-acting and can be administered daily.
A pilot study at the University of Gothenburg involved 18 participants (12 men and 6 postmenopausal women) who were randomly assigned to receive either a high daily dose (20 mg) of tadalafil or a placebo for six weeks.
After an eight-week break, they were then switched to the other option for another six weeks. Participants were monitored for side effects as tadalafil has known side effects.
The Results
The primary objective was to determine whether tadalafil might enhance insulin sensitivity in patients. However, no significant difference was found in comparison to the placebo.
Nevertheless, tadalafil led to a noticeable improvement in metabolic control based on hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) measurements in blood samples.
On average, HbA1c levels decreased by 2.50 mmol/mol, a significant improvement akin to the results observed with new drug candidates that are now the fourth treatment option for type 2 diabetes.
HbA1c is closely monitored in blood samples from patients undergoing treatment for type 2 diabetes.
A higher HbA1c value indicates a greater risk of complications, such as microvascular damage to the eyes, kidneys, and nerves.
Implications and Next Steps
Tadalafil could potentially supplement current treatment regimens for type 2 diabetes, especially for men who also suffer from ED, a condition that affects over 70% of men with obesity and type 2 diabetes.
However, the results from this pilot study need to be confirmed in larger studies involving more patients and over longer periods of time. The University of Gothenburg research group is now considering such a study.
Type 2 diabetes is primarily treated with lifestyle changes and the drug metformin, with several other drugs being developed in the past 10-20 years.
Tadalafil increases blood flow in skeletal muscle, the heart, and adipose tissue.
This study also demonstrated increased blood flow and positive effects in the liver, where an established marker of fatty liver decreased during the tadalafil treatment compared with the placebo.
Additionally, researchers observed an increase in glucose uptake with the tadalafil treatment compared with the placebo.
Importantly, self-medication with PDE5 inhibitors is strongly discouraged due to potentially life-threatening interactions with certain other medications.
These drugs are prescription-only and should always be prescribed by a medical professional.
For more information on diabetes research, consider reading studies on the potential of the MIND diet in reducing the risk of vision loss disease, and the potential benefits of Vitamin D for people with diabetic neuropathic pain.
Also, see recent studies on the potential benefits of blueberries for people with metabolic syndrome, and how including eggs in a plant-based diet may benefit people with type 2 diabetes.
This study was published in eClinicalMedicine.
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