Background & Objectives: Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disease characterized by hyperglycemia together with biochemical alterations of lipid profile, insulin resistance and inflammation . Considering the high prevalence of hypertension, dyslipidemia and inflammation in type 2 diabetic patients, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of inulin on lipid profile, inflammation and blood pressure in women with type 2 diabetes.

  Methods: In this controlled, randomized clinical trial, 49 women with type 2 diabetes (fiber intake<30 g/d, BMI=25-35 kg/m²) were assigned to one of two groups. Experimental group (n=24) received 10 g/d inulin and control group (n=25) received 10 g/d maltodextrin for 8 weeks. Dietary intakes, anthropometric measurements, blood pressure, serum lipids and hs-CRP concentrations were measured at the baseline and at the end of the study. Data were analyzed using SPSS software (verision11.5). Paired, independent t-tests and ANCOVA were used to compare quantitative variables.

  Results: At the end of study, there was a significant decrease in systolic blood pressure (from 135.7 ± 16.2 to 125.9 ± 7.9 mmHg), total cholesterol ( from 192.5 ± 42.8 to 171.0 ± 39.7 mg/dl), triglyceride ( from 223.3 ± 84.2 to 169.9 ± 65.6 mg/dl) and hs-CRP ( from 7.9 ± 3.0 to 5.3 ± 3.0 mg/l) in inulin group compared with the maltodextrin group (p > 0.04 ). Changes in diastolic blood pressures, LDL-c and HDL-c were not significant in inulin group compared with the maltodextrin group. A significant decrease in systolic, diastolic blood pressures, total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL-c, hs-CRP and significant increase in HDL-c were observed in inulin group compared to baseline.

  Conclusions: Inulin supplementation may improve lipid profile, hs-CRP and blood pressure in women with type 2 diabetes.