However, also measures that do not directly target the immune system could be beneficial. The DCCT study randomised subjects with type 1 diabetes to either intensive or conventional insulin treatment. The intensive insulin treatment markedly retarded deterioration in C-peptide levels during 5 years of observation. The favourable effect could be due to lesser hyperglycemia per se. Alternatively, the effect of intensive insulin treatment could be secondary to lesser degree of over-stimulation of the patients' beta-cells.