Improvement of lipid profile in Type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus by insulin-like growth factor I

Abstract

Type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus is associated with increased glucose, insulin, total and VLDL-triglyceride, and often total and LDL-cholesterol levels which promote vascular disease. Recombinant human insulin-like growth factor-I which mimics many effects of insulin, decreased insulin, total and VLDL-triglyceride, and total and LDL-cholesterol levels in healthy man as well as glucose and insulin levels in Type 2 diabetic patients. We, therefore, investigated total and fractionated triglyceride and cholesterol levels, lipoprotein(a), non-esterified fatty acid, and apolipoprotein levels in eight Type 2 diabetic patients during five control, five treatment, and three wash-out days. They received a constant diet throughout and daily 2×120 Μg insulin-like growth factor-I/kg s.c. during the treatment period. Fasting total and VLDL-triglyceride, total and LDL-cholesterol control levels were (mean ± SD) 3.1±2.6, 1.3±1.0, 6.3±1.3, and 4.5±1.1 mmol/l and decreased to 1.6±0.8, 0.6±0.4, 5.0±1.0, and 3.5±1.1 mmol/l, respectively, on the last treatment day (p<0.01). During therapy, fasting lipoprotein(a) levels and the postprandial area under the triglyceride curve decreased by 48±22 and 32±18% of control (p<0.01), respectively. In conclusion, insulin-like growth factor-I lowered lipid levels in Type 2 diabetic patients directly or indirectly or both because of decreased glucose and insulin levels. Long-term trials would be of interest with respect to the cardiovascular risk in Type 2 diabetes and patients with hyperlipidaemia. © 1993 Springer-Verlag.