Hydroxychloroquine in decompensated, treatment-refractory noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus: a new job for an old drug?
Article Abstract:
Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus results when the body does not produce sufficient amounts of insulin to allow body cells to utilize glucose. But most, if not all, cases of non-insulin dependent diabetes involve insulin resistance. That is, the insulin is available, but for some reason the cells do not respond appropriately to it, a phenomenon which may involve the insulin receptor or any other step along the chain of events in the response to insulin. Studies have shown that the drug chloroquine can have some beneficial effects in these cases; however, the way it works is unclear. Since hydroxychloroquine is safer than chloroquine, its use in non-insulin-dependent diabetes was evaluated. A total of 38 patients who had not responded to standard treatment participated in the study. Twenty-two patients received insulin and 16 patients received glibenclamide. Within each group, half of the patients also received placebo and the other half also received hydroxychloroquine. The results showed a clear improvement of blood glucose regulation among the patients receiving insulin and hydroxychloroquine or glibenclamide and hydroxychloroquine. No change was observed for the patients receiving placebo. A reduction was also measured in the blood level of glycosylated hemoglobin in the patients receiving hydroxychloroquine, which indicates improved long-term control of blood sugar. The only side effect observed was some stomach pain which responded to antacid treatment. No other side effects were seen, although the insulin dose of one patient had to be reduced due to low blood sugars. The evidence indicates that hydroxychloroquine may be a valuable addition to antidiabetic therapy for the management of non-insulin-dependent diabetes that does not respond to standard treatment. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: Annals of Internal Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0003-4819
Year: 1990
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Tolrestat for mild diabetic neuropathy: a 52-week, randomized, placebo-controlled trial
Article Abstract:
Tolrestat may improve nerve function in patients suffering from diabetic neuropathies. Neuropathies, or disorders affecting the peripheral nervous system, are common among patients suffering from diabetes mellitus. Among 45 patients suffering from asymptomatic diabetic neuropathy, 25 were treated with 200 milligrams of tolrestat per day and 20 received a placebo, or an inactive substance, over a one-year period. Patients treated with tolrestat experienced an improvement in nerve function after one year, but those who received a placebo experienced a decrease. Performance on a series of cardiovascular reflex tests improved among the patients in the tolrestat group, but that of the patients in the placebo group deteriorated on all but one test.
Publication Name: Annals of Internal Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0003-4819
Year: 1993
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Abnormal rheologic effects of glyceryl trinitrate in patients with non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus
Article Abstract:
Glycerol nitrate, a drug used to dilate blood vessels, seems to have a positive effect in healthy volunteers but a harmful effect in diabetic patients. Researchers compared the blood flow effects of two glycerol nitrate preparations, under the tongue and in a patch, between two sets of diabetic and healthy volunteer groups (20 participants each). Blood flow values improved in all of the measurements made for the healthy volunteer groups. However, the blood flow values worsened for the diabetic patients with glycerol nitrate treatment. The participants took Vitamin E and glutathione following the glycerol nitrate treatments to return blood flow to normal values.
Publication Name: Annals of Internal Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0003-4819
Year: 1995
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