Effects of the Modified Linggui Zhugan Decoction ((sic)) Combined with Short-term Very Low Calorie Diets on Glycemic Control in Newly Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetics

Objective: To evaluate the effects of the modified Linggui Zhugan Decoction ((sic)) combined with short-term very low calorie diets (VLCDs) on glycemic control in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients. Methods: A total of 20 subjects with newly diagnosed T2DM were treated with the modified Linggui Zhugan Decoction (one-month administration) combined with short-term VLCDs (5 days), and 3-months follow-up. A standard 75-g oral-glucose-tolerance test (OGTT) indexes fasting plasma glucose (FPG), post-prandial 0.5 h and 2 h plasma glucose (P0.5hPG, P2hPG), glycated hemoglobin A(1C) (GHbA(1C)), body weight, body mass index (BMI), insulin function, insulin resistance index, incidence of hypoglycemia, and the liver and renal functions were evaluated before and after treatment. Correlations of BMI with insulin function and insulin resistance were also assessed. Results: After the treatment, the patients' plasma glucose decreased steadily, FPG decreased from 5.8 +/- 0.9 mmol/L at pre-treatment to 5.0 +/- 0.6 mmol/L at 3-months follow-up (P < 0.05), and P2hPG decreased from 11.7 +/- 3.8 mmol/L at pre-treatment to 6.9 +/- 0.9 mmol/L at 3-months follow-up (P < 0.01). The level of GHbA(1C) declined from (6.47 +/- 1.24)% at pre-treatment to (6.14 +/- 0.99)% at 3-months follow-up (P < 0.01). Body weight and BMI also declined significantly. Insulin resistance index was improved obviously and no event of hypoglycemia occurred. Part of the patients companied with fatty liver had a transient increase in hepatic transaminase during the treatment, but it turned to normal after the treatment. Conclusions: The modified Linggui Zhugan Decoction combined with short-term VLCDs can be safely implemented for steady glycemic control in newly diagnosed T2DM patients.