Moderate weight loss and sulfonylurea treatment of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Combined effects.

Hypocaloric liquid formula diets were given for one month to 20 moderately obese patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus divided into two equal groups; group 1 was treated with weight loss alone; group 2 received glipizide in addition to the hypocaloric diet. Mean weight loss was similar in the two groups (6.5 +/- 0.6 v 6.4 +/- 0.5 kg) and was associated with a statistically significant fall in mean fasting plasma glucose values from 293 +/- 15 to 232 +/- 24 mg/dL (group 1) and from 281 +/- 15 to 152 +/- 7 mg/dL (group 2). This was associated with 13% (group 1) and 36% (group 2) decrements in total postprandial glucose response. Neither fasting nor postprandial insulin levels changed significantly with weight loss, but estimates of insulin-stimulated glucose disposal demonstrated a 15% (group 1) and 42% (group 2) improvement. Finally, fasting plasma cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations fell significantly in both groups.