Diabetes specific tube feed results in improved glycaemic and triglyceridaemic control during 6 h continuous feeding in diabetes patients

SummaryBackground & aims: A major treatment goal in patients with diabetes and/or hyperglycaemia is to achieve normalized plasma glucose and triglyceride levels, also for those receiving nutritional support. The aim of this study was to assess the short-term effect of continuous application of different tube feeds on postprandial glucose and triglyceride levels.Methods: In a double blind, cross-over study 12 adult type 2 diabetic patients randomly received three different tube feeds by continuous nasogastric tube feeding for 6 h (A standard formula (49E% CHO, 21E% MUFA); B diabetes specific formula Diason™ (45E% CHO, 26E% MUFA); C test formula (35E% CHO, 34E% MUFA)). Plasma glucose concentrations were determined at t=0t=0 (baseline), 15, 30, 45, 60, and every further 30 min until 360 min. Triglycerides were measured every 60 min.Results: Diabetes specific tube feed B and test feed C showed significantly (p<0.05) lower glucose peak height (corrected for baseline) and iAUC when compared with standard tube feed A. Furthermore, tube feeds B and A showed significantly (p<0.05) lower triglyceride levels at 180, 240, 300 and 360 min when compared with test feed C.Conclusions: This cross-over study indicates that tube feed B (Diason™) is the preferred option in supporting metabolic control in diabetic patients requiring tube feeding.