Effects of benfluorex on insulin resistance and lipid metabolism in obese type II diabetic patients.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the change in lipids and insulin sensitivity in 10 obese type II diabetic patients after treatment with benfluorex or placebo for 2 wk.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND

METHODS

The study had a double-blind, cross-over design. Insulin sensitivity was measured with the euglycemic hyperinsulinemic glucose clamp technique at two different insulin infusion rates: 0.05 (clamp 1) and 0.10 U.kg-1.h-1 (clamp 2).

RESULTS

Subanalysis of the glucose infusion rate under steady-state conditions in the last 30 min of clamp 2 yielded a glucose infusion rate of 5.36 and 3.87 mmol.kg-1.min-1 after benfluorex and placebo, respectively (P = 0.018).

CONCLUSIONS

Benfluorex increases insulin sensitivity in obese type II diabetic patients.