Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 2008; 116(2): 132-134
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-984456
Short Communication

© J. A. Barth Verlag in Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Clinical Benefit of a Short Term Dietary Oatmeal Intervention in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes and Severe Insulin Resistance: A Pilot Study

A. Lammert 1 , J. Kratzsch 2 , J. Selhorst 1 , P. M. Humpert 3 , A. Bierhaus 3 , R. Birck 1 , K. Kusterer 4 , H.-P. Hammes 1
  • 1V. Medizinische Klinik, University Hospital Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim of the University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
  • 2ILM, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
  • 3Medizinische Klinik 1, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
  • 4Group Practice for Endocrinology, Mannheim, Germany
Further Information

Publication History

received 19.03.2007 first decision 31.05.2007

accepted 18.06.2007

Publication Date:
20 December 2007 (online)

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Abstract

Aims/hypothesis: To evaluate the potential effectiveness of ‘carbohydrate days’ as a dietary intervention to overcome insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes.

Materials and Methods: Patients (n=14) with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance as defined by a dosage of more than 1 IU/day*kg BW were consecutively enrolled in this prospective study. Primary outcomes were daily insulin requirement and mean blood glucose levels which were evaluated before, after, and 4 weeks after the intervention.

Results: All patients had a metabolic syndrome, 75% had microvascular and 57.1% macrovascular complications. Hospital setting and diabetes adapted diet alone led to improved glycemic control with a mean blood glucose 158±47 mg/dl. Intervention with two days of oatmeal diet further decreased mean blood glucose to 118±37 mg/dl (p<0.05). This was associated with a significant reduction of insulin dosage by 42.5% (before: 145±68.9 U/d, after 83±34.2 U/d, p<0.001) as well as a significant reduction (-26.4%, p<0.01) of serum leptin levels.After the four weeks outpatient period, insulin dosage remained significantly decreased (83±20.2 U/kg*d, p<0.01). Glycemic control was comparable (mean blood glucose141±20.78 mg/dl) to glucose levels within the hospital setting. Adiponectin levels increased significantly by 53.8% (p<0.05).

Conclusions: In this uncontrolled pilot study, hospital admission and diabetes adapted diet followed by oatmeal intervention achieved a ∼40% reduction of insulin dosage required to achieve controlled glucose levels. This effect was conserved after a 4 week outpatient phase with normal diet.