The total protein intake was 0.8 g/
kg/day, and total energy intake was 30 kcal/kg/day.
Blood glucose was controlled by sulfonylureas
(glibenclamide and tolbutamide), a-glucosidase, pioglitazone,
and insulin to reduce HbA1c to less than
6.5%. We planned to follow all patients for a
maximum 3 years. Visits were scheduled every month
and blood pressure and laboratory measurements were
monitored every 6 months, or more often if necessary.
If patients had reached the end point or stopped
clinical visits, the blood pressure and laboratory
measurements at these points were recorded and used
in analyses.