Administration of a new diabetes-specific enteral formula results in an improved 24h glucose profile in type 2 diabetic patients.

Aims: Study the effect of several boluses of a new diabetes-specific formula (DSF) during the day on 24h glucose profile.

Methods: In this randomized, controlled, double-blind, cross-over study 12 ambulatory type 2 diabetic patients were included. Subjects received a new DSF and an isocaloric standard fibre-containing formula (SF) while continuing their anti-diabetic medication. Subjects received 100% of their calculated daily energy requirements as bolus feeding every 3h (5 times/day, starting at 8.00 a.m.+/-1h).

Results: Glucose profiles were significantly better after administration of DSF compared with SF determined as mean glucose concentration (+/-SEM) (8.7+/-0.5 versus 9.6+/-0.6 mmol/L, p<0.05 during 24h; 9.4+/-0.6 versus 10.7+/-0.6 mmol/L, p<0.001 during daytime) or as incremental area under the curve during daytime (-44%; p<0.05). Subjects receiving DSF experienced less hyperglycaemic time over 24h (-26%; p<0.05) and during daytime (-30%; p<0.05). Furthermore, lower individual and mean (delta) peak glucose levels were found (p<0.05). No clinically relevant differences in gastrointestinal tolerance were observed.

Conclusions: Using DSF resulted in significantly better 24h and postprandial glucose profiles than fibre-containing SF after bolus administration and may therefore help to improve glycaemic control in diabetic patients.