Nine weeks of bedtime diazoxide is well tolerated and improves beta-cell function in subjects with Type 2 diabetes.
OBJECTIVE
To test whether a bedtime dose of diazoxide can improve daytime beta-cell function without side-effects in Type 2 diabetes.


METHODS
A double-blind randomized study was performed in 27 Type 2 diabetic subjects (17 male, 10 female) who were treated with bedtime insulin and metformin. Subjects received either bedtime diazoxide, 100 mg, or placebo for 9 weeks. Duplicate C-peptide glucagon tests were performed before and in the last days of intervention.


RESULTS
No side-effects of diazoxide were detected. Treatment with diazoxide did not incur any increase in bedtime insulin. C-peptide responses to glucagon tended to increase: 0.15 +/- 0.06 nmol/l vs. -0.01 +/- 0.04 nmol/l for placebo, P < 0.06 for difference. Corresponding effects on insulin were 66.2 +/- 41.7 pmol/l for diazoxide vs. -84.2 +/- 51.5 for placebo, P < 0.03. Treatment with diazoxide decreased fasting glucagon levels by 41% vs. placebo, P < 0.03. Glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels were not affected, whereas levels of blood glucose post breakfast were higher during diazoxide (1.34 +/- 0.43 mmol/l, P < 0.01 vs. placebo).


CONCLUSIONS
Bedtime treatment with diazoxide in Type 2 diabetic subjects on bedtime insulin and metformin has no significant side-effects, does not increase bedtime insulin supplementation, tends to ameliorate beta-cell function but fails to improve metabolic control.
Qvigstad
E
E
Department of Endocrinology, St Olav's University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway. elisabeth.qvigstad@stolav.no
Kollind
M
M
Grill
V
V
D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003981:Diazoxide / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D007328:Insulin / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007515:Islets of Langerhans / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008687:Metformin / Q000627:therapeutic use
D001786:Blood Glucose; D003981:Diazoxide; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D007328:Insulin; D008687:Metformin