Effects of exenatide on dietary habits in obese type 2 diabetic patients

Objective To explore the effect of exenatide on food habits in obese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods A total of 32 obese patients with T2DM inadequately controlled by metformin were selected and treated with 5 mg for 4 weeks and 10 mg for 12 weeks of exenatide twice daily. Weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, hip circumference, waist hip ratio (WHR), fasting blood glucose (FPG), glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and blood pressure were measured before and after exenatide treatment. The change of daily food intake and other diet condition were recorded with a questionnaire survey. Comparision of means was done by paired t-test with quantitative data and rank-sum test with orderly qualitative data. Results A total of 30 cases finally completed the study. After 16-week exenatide treatment, weight, BMI, waist circumference, FPG and HbA1c were significantly decreased (t=3.805-6.488, P<0.01); WHR, TC, TG, LDL-C, BP were also significantly declined(t=2.086-2.718, P<0.05); while HDL-C was markedly increased(t=-3.491, P<0.01). The total food intake was significantly decreased (Z=-3.349, P<0.01). Among them, the intakes of cereals (Z=-3.400, P<0.01), oil(Z=-3.761, P<0.01), livestock and poultry meat (Z=-2.530, P<0.05) and salt (Z=-1.964, P<0.05) were significantly decreased; while the intake of vegetables was dramatically increased (Z=-2.445, P<0.05). The frequency of bedtime snacks were significantly declined (Z=-2.429, P<0.05). Conclusion Exenatide can optimize eating habits of obese patients with T2DM, control weight, improve glucose and lipid metabolism and regulate blood pressure. Key words: Diabetes mellitus, type 2; Exenatide; Obesity; Food habits