To investigate the effect of liraglutide on glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA_1c) , isletβcell function and body fat in type 2 diabetic patients with low T₃syndrome.

Sixty-two patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and low T₃syndrome were randomly divided into the experimental group and the control group. The initial metformin was maintained in both groups. The experimental group received subcutaneous injection of liraglutide, while the control group received insulin glargine. Gycosylated hemoglobin (HbA_1c) , Islet beta-cell function index (HOMA-β) , body mass index (BMI) and body fat percentage (BF﹪) were measured at baseline, 4, 12, 20 and 26 weeks after treatment respectively.

The levels of HbA_1cof the experimental group were (8.45±1.12) ﹪, (7.84±0.97) ﹪, (6.84±0.76) ﹪, (6.90±0.80) ﹪, and (6.75±0.74) ﹪at baseline, 4, 12, 20 and 26 weeks after treatment respectively, while those of the controlgroup were (7.41±1.02) ﹪, (7.92±1.18) ﹪, (7.35±0.95) ﹪, (7.45±1.21) ﹪, and (7.24±0.12) ﹪ respectively, which decreased significantly in both groups (the experimental group:F= 22.15,P<0.01; the control group:F= 7.52,P< 0.01) . The levels of HbA_1cin the experimental group were significantly lower than those in the control group at 12 weeks, 20 weeks) and 26 weeks. The levels of HOMA-βin patients were 85.3±42.1, 100.6±43.7, 124.6±67.5,130.4±53.1 and 124.4±43.1 at baseline, 4, 12, 20 and 26 weeks after treatment respectively (F=45.50,P< 0.01) , while those of the control group were 87.4±51.3, 89.5±43.3, 94.6±54.2, 87.5±41.1 and 90.4±43.2respectively (F = 0.12,P= 0.97) . The levels of TT₃of the experimental group were 0.22±0.06, 0.33±0.12, 0.33±0.12, 0.38±0.13 and (0.44±0.21) ng/ml respectively (F=11.71, P< 0.01) , and those of the control group were 0.24±0.07, 0.25±0.04, 0.23±0.02, 0.25±0.11 and (0.28±0.11) ng/ml (F=1.74, P= 0.14) respectively. TT₄and TSH of both groups didn't change significantly. The BMI and BF﹪in the experimental group were significantly lowered (F= 16.52, 36.80,P< 0.01) , while those in the control group didn't change. There was no serious adverse reaction in the two groups. The incidence of hypoglycemia in the experimental group was significantly lower than that in the control group (χ²= 4.29,P= 0.04) .

For type 2 diabetes patients with lowT₃syndrome, liraglutide can significantly improve the function of pancreatic isletβcells, reduce body fat rate, improve insulin resistance, and achieve good blood glucose control. Thus liraglutide may be beneficial for these patients.