Lycium barbarum polysaccharide regulates serum metabolites in type 2 diabetic patients with the metabolomics-based approach of GC-TOF-MS

Lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP) has displayed beneficial effects against type 2 diabetes (T2D), such as reducing blood glucose and lipids. We utilized a metabolomics method to explore the effects of LBP on the regulation of diabetes. Twenty T2D patients were included and provided with LBP (300 mg/d) for 3 months. LBP reduced the fasting blood glucose levels of participants after 3 months (P = 0.057) and significantly improved serum insulin-like growth factor binding protein (IGFBP) levels. In addition, LBP significantly regulated 24 serum metabolites, and the following KEGG pathway analysis indicated that LBP primarily affected glutamine and glutamate metabolism. Overall, LBP consumption influenced serum metabolites and displayed hypoglycemic effects by regulating the metabolic pathway modulating glutamine and glutamate.