Protective effects of Modified Linggui Zhugan Decoction combined with short-term very low calorie diets on cardiovascular risk factors in obese patients with impaired glucose tolerance

ObjectiveTo observe the protective effects of modified Linggui Zhugan Decoction combined with short-term very low calorie diets (VLCDs) on cardiovascular risk factors in obese patients with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT).MethodsEighty-five obese patients with IGT of spleen hypofunction and dampness accumulation type were randomly divided into treated group (n=45) and control group (n=40). The treated group was given Linggui Zhugan Decoction combined short-term VLCDs. The control group was given basic weight-reduction treatment. The total course was 6 months. Changes of fasting plasma glucose (FPG), 2-hour postprandial blood glucose (2hPG), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting insulin (FINS), lipid metabolism, blood pressure, body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) were observed, and the outcomes were reviewed after the treatment.ResultsCompared with the control group, the levels of FPG, 2hPG, HbA1c, FINS, HOMA-IR decreased significantly (P<0.05), and the indexes of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), BMI and WC were improved significantly (P<0.05) in the treated group. The transformation rate of normal glucose tolerance (NGT) was higher in treatment group than control group (P<0.01). No severe adverse reaction was found in the therapeutic course.ConclusionThe modified Linggui Zhugan Decoction combined with short-term VLCDs has good protective effects on cardiovascular risk factors as a treatment intervention for IGT with obesity, as it could improve glycometabolism, significantly decrease the levels of blood pressure, blood lipids, BMI, WC and effectively cut-off and reverse the development of diabetes mellitus.