A prospective study of the effect of 12 months treatment on serum lipids and apolipoproteins A-I and B in Type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes.

Serum high density lipoprotein cholesterol, total cholesterol, triglyceride and apolipoproteins A-I and B were studied at diagnosis and after 12 months conventional treatment in a group of Type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetic patients. No significant deleterious effect on serum lipids and apolipoproteins was seen in any of the subgroups during the treatment period, although in the overall group there was a significant increase in serum total cholesterol in females. Serum high density lipoprotein cholesterol increased significantly in obese males treated with calorie restriction alone. There was a significant increase in serum apolipoprotein A-I in obese females treated with calorie restriction and metformin and in non-obese females treated with carbohydrate restriction and glibenclamide.