[Study on improvement of islet beta cell function in patients with latent autoimmune diabetes mellitus in adults by integrative Chinese and Western medicine].
OBJECTIVE
To study the effect of integrative Chinese and Western medicine (ICWM) on improvement of the islet beta cell function in treating patients with latent autoimmune diabetes mellitus in adults (LADA).


METHODS
Eighty-four patients of LADA were randomly divided into 3 groups (20 in A, 33 in B and 31 in C), they were treated respectively with sulfonylurea, insulin and combination of insulin and Chinese medicine. The changes before and after treatment in blood glucose, glycohemoglobin and islet beta cell function were observed.


RESULTS
After treatment, the damaged islet beta cell function in Group A was not improved, the secrete peak value of C-peptide was still low and delayed in Group A, but in Group B and C, it shifted earlier, suggesting that a certain degree of improvement and recovery of islet beta cell function. The improving effect in Group C was better.


CONCLUSIONS
Chinese herbal medicine had effect in lowering blood glucose and improving islet beta cell function in patients with diabetes mellitus, and showed a synergistic and enhancing action when combined use with insulin. Early treatment of insulin or combination of insulin and Chinese medicine should be applied to patients with LADA.
Department of Endocrinology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou TCM University. zlqmd@eyou.com
Li-qun
LQ
Zhu
Ying-hua
YH
Liu
Man
M
Huang
Hua
H
Wei
Zhenjie
Z
Liu
D000328:Adult; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D002096:C-Peptide / Q000378:metabolism; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000145:classification / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007515:Islets of Langerhans / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008517:Phytotherapy
D001786:Blood Glucose; D002096:C-Peptide; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D007328:Insulin