Effect of Enprostil on Plasma Glucose, Insulin and Lipid Metabolism in Patients with Non-Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus

Summary

Measurements of various aspects of glucose, insulin and lipid metabolism were made before and after the administration of enprostil (a synthetic dehydroprostaglandin E₂) for one week to ten patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). Both fasting (P < 0.01) and postprandial (P < 0.001) plasma glucose concentrations were significantly lower after one week of enprostil, and 24 hour urinary glucose excretion was reduced from (mean±SEM) 47±14 to 25±9 g/day. There was no change in either fasting or postprandial insulin concentration, but the postprandial GIP response was also significantly reduced (P < 0.001). In addition, there were significant reductions in postprandial plasma free fatty acid (P < 0.05) and triglyceride (P < 0.001) concentrations, associated with a modest fall in fasting plasma triglyceride (P < 0.05) and cholesterol (P < 0.07) concentrations when measured after one week of treatment with enprostil. These results raise the possibility that enprostil may be of some benefit in the treatment of patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes.

Key-Words

Prostaglandin - Enprostil - Non-Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus