The effects of long-term therapy with oral hypoglycemic agents on the oral glucose tolerance test dynamics in male chemical diabetics.

The effect of fixed doses of oral hypoglycemic agents and placebo (diet alone) on the blood glucose, serum insulin, triglyceride, and cholesterol responses during oral glucose tolerance tests done annually for up to four years' follow-up was studied, in a double-blind manner, in five groups of mild male chemical diabetics. The drugs used were chlorpropamide (100 mg. O.D.), tolbutamide (500 mg. b.i.d.), phenformin (50 mg. O.D.), acetohexamide (250 mg. O.D.), and placebo. Each subject was given an individualized diet aimed at attaining and maintaining ideal weight. Comparison by chi-square analysis between the placebo group and each of the drug groups showed (a) no significant differences with regard to the number of subjects with normal glucose tolerance in each of the tests and (b) no change in the insulin secretion dynamics. Comparison between the initial test and each of the subsequent tests within each group showed (a) a greater number of subjects with normal glucose tolerance in the first follow-up test in the chlorpropamide group only, (b) no change in the insulin secretion dynamics except in the chlorpropamide group, where there was an increased insulin/glucose ratio in the first follow-up test, and (c) no change in the fasting serum triglyceride and cholesterol levels.