OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of intensive insulin therapy on insulin resistance(IR) and serum proteins after radical gastrectomy.

METHODSTwenty-two gastric cancer patients were randomly divided into the control (n=11) and intensive insulin therapy group (n=11), and underwent distal radical subtotal gastrectomy under epidural anesthesia. Fasting blood glucose (FBG), fasting insulin (FINS) and serum proteins were assayed preoperatively and at day 1, 3, 7 postoperatively. Insulin resistance index was calculated using homeostasis model assessment (HOMA). The length of hospital stay and postoperative complications were recorded respectively.

RESULTS(1)The levels of FBG, FINS, lnHOMA-IR (P<0.01,P<0.05) and the incidence of insulin resistance were remarkably decreased by intensive insulin therapy after the surgical procedure.(2)The levels of serum transferrin (TRF), prealbumin (PRE) and retinal binding protein (RBP) in the intensive insulin therapy group were significantly improved as compared to control group after operation(P<0.05). (3) The duration of fever, antibiotic use, passage of gas by anus, length of hospital stay and the occurrence of postoperative complications were also significantly lower than those in control group(P<0.01,P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONCompared to routine therapy, the intensive insulin therapy has more beneficial effects on the patients undergone distal radical subtotal gastrectomy in decreasing the insulin resistance, improving the status of nutrition and preventing postoperative complications.