DIAZOXIDE TREATMENT AT ONSET PRESERVES RESIDUAL INSULIN-SECRETION IN ADULTS WITH AUTOIMMUNE DIABETES

Twenty islet cell antibody (ICA)-positive patients, aged 19-38 years, with IDDM were randomized at onset to treatment with either diazoxide, a K+ channel opener that inhibits the release of insulin, or placebo for 3 months, in addition to multiple insulin injection therapy. The p atients who were given diazoxide displayed higher residual insulin sec retion than the placebo group after 1 year (basal C-peptide level, 0.4 0 +/- 0.04 vs. 0.25 +/- 0.04 [mean +/- SE] nmol/l; P < 0.021) and at a n 18-month follow-up (0.37 +/- 0.06 vs. 0.20 +/- 0.01 nmol/l, P < 0.03 3). Metabolic control did not differ between the two groups. During th e course of the study, no differences in islet cell or GAD autoantibod ies were detected between the two groups. The results of this study wa rrant further trials to explore the potential of inducing target cell rest in order to halt the loss of insulin-producing cells during the e arly course of the disease.