title: Sulfonylurea treatment of insulin-independent diabetes mellitus.
abstract: The ultimate clinical utility of the sulfonylurea drugs in the treatment of insulin-independent diabetes mellitus will be determined only when the mechanisms of action of these agents are understood. We are presently evaluating the long-term effects of the sulfonylurea glipizide on a group of patients with insulin-independent diabetes. Our studies thus far indicate that a major effect of this drug is a potentiation of insulin action, which leads to an improvement in glucose utilization. However, glipizide, in distinction from those sulfonylureas that have been examined previously, also causes a long-term increase in glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. These effects are unrelated to diet therapy and can still be demonstrated in patients treated for more than 2 yr. Further investigation will determine whether sulfonylurea therapy can offer unique benefits to certain patients with insulin-independent diabetes.
mesh_terms: D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D001835:Body Weight; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003927:Diet, Diabetic; D005913:Glipizide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D013453:Sulfonylurea Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D007328:Insulin; D013453:Sulfonylurea Compounds; D005913:Glipizide