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Biomedical subjects

J Gerich

Publications and source records attributed to J Gerich.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Insulin secretion and insulin sensitivity in people with impaired glucose tolerance.

To assess the roles of pancreatic beta-cell (beta-cell) dysfunction and insulin resistance in the pathogenesis of non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, we used euglycaemic hyperinsulinaemic and hyperglycaemic clamps to compare insulin secretion and insulin sensitivity in Caucasian individuals of European ancestry with either normal glucose tolerance (NGT) or impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). Both groups were carefully matched for age, gender, obesity and body fat distribution. During the hyperglycaemic clamps, IGT had significantly lower first phase (650 +/- 60 vs 992 +/- 92 pmol l-1, p = 0.001) and second phase (231 +/- 24 vs 326 +/- 21 pmol l-1, p < 0.001) plasma insulin responses while their insulin sensitivity index (0.126 +/- 0.012 mumol kg-1 pM-1) was not significantly different from that of NGT (0.144 +/- 0.012 mumol kg-1 min-1 pM-1), p = 0.69). Similarly, during the euglycaemic hyperinsulinaemic clamps, the insulin sensitivity index of the IGT (0.076 +/- 0.005 mumol kg-1 min-1 pM-1) was not significantly different from that of the NGT (0.086 +/- 0.007 mumol kg-1 min-1 pM-1), p = 0.28. We conclude that since beta-cell dysfunction is already evident in people with impaired glucose tolerance but insulin resistance is not, impaired insulin secretion is most likely the primary genetic factor predisposing to the development of non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus in Caucasians of European ancestry.

Blood Glucose↗

Pancreatic beta-cell dysfunction as the primary genetic lesion in NIDDM. Evidence from studies in normal glucose-tolerant individuals with a first-degree NIDDM relative.

OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that insulin resistance precedes impaired insulin secretion in individuals genetically predisposed to non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). DESIGN: Case-control study. SETTING: Outpatient facility of clinical research center. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred volunteers of European ancestry having normal glucose tolerance, 50 with and 50 without a first-degree NIDDM relative, matched for age, sex, and degree of obesity. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Insulin secretion and insulin sensitivity assessed by hyperglycemic (N = 100) and euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic (N = 62) clamp experiments. RESULTS: The individuals with a first-degree NIDDM relative had reduced first- and second-phase insulin responses (mean +/- SEM, 939 +/- 68 vs 1209 +/- 82 pmol/L, and 322 +/- 19 vs 407 +/- 24 pmol/L, respectively, P = .001 and .01), but their insulin sensitivity (148 +/- 6 and 92 +/- 6 nmol.kg-1.min-1/pmol.L-1 in hyperglycemic and euglycemic clamp studies) did not differ from that of the control group (126 +/- 5 and 81 +/- 7 nmol.kg-1.min-1/pmol.L-1, in hyperglycemic and euglycemic clamp studies, P = .07 and .24, respectively). In some individuals only first- or only second-phase insulin responses were reduced. CONCLUSION: In this study population, heterogeneous defects in insulin secretion were demonstrated, while defects in insulin sensitivity were not evident. We therefore conclude that since the earliest defects identified in a group genetically at high risk to develop NIDDM are those related to insulin secretion, defects in insulin secretion rather than insulin sensitivity are likely the major genetic factor predisposing to development of NIDDM.

Adult↗

Uptake and release of glucose by the human kidney. Postabsorptive rates and responses to epinephrine.

Despite ample evidence that the kidney can both produce and use appreciable amounts of glucose, the human kidney is generally regarded as playing a minor role in glucose homeostasis. This view is based on measurements of arteriorenal vein glucose concentrations indicating little or no net release of glucose. However, inferences from net balance measurements do not take into consideration the simultaneous release and uptake of glucose by the kidney. Therefore, to assess the contribution of release and uptake of glucose by the human kidney to overall entry and removal of plasma glucose, we used a combination of balance and isotope techniques to measure renal glucose net balance, fractional extraction, uptake and release as well as overall plasma glucose appearance and disposal in 10 normal volunteers under basal postabsorptive conditions and during a 3-h epinephrine infusion. In the basal postabsorptive state, there was small but significant net output of glucose by the kidney (66 +/- 22 mumol.min-1, P = 0.016). However, since renal glucose fractional extraction averaged 2.9 +/- 0.3%, there was considerable renal glucose uptake (2.3 +/- 0.2 mumol.kg-1.min-1) which accounted for 20.2 +/- 1.7% of systemic glucose disposal (11.4 +/- 0.5 mumol.kg-1.min-1). Renal glucose release (3.2 +/- 0.2 mumol.kg-1.min-1) accounted for 27.8 +/- 2.1% of systemic glucose appearance (11.4 +/- 0.5 mumol.kg-1.min-1). Epinephrine infusion, which increased plasma epinephrine to levels observed during hypoglycemia (3722 +/- 453 pmol/liter) increased renal glucose release nearly twofold (5.2 +/- 0.5 vs 2.8 +/- 0.1 mol.kg-1.min-1, P = 0.01) so that at the end of the infusion, renal glucose release accounted for 40.3 +/- 5.5% of systemic glucose appearance and essentially all of the increase in systemic glucose appearance. These observations suggest an important role for the human kidney in glucose homeostasis.

Adult↗

Glycogen: its mode of formation and contribution to hepatic glucose output in postabsorptive humans.

To assess the relative contributions of gluconeogenesis and glycogenolysis to overall hepatic glucose output in postabsorptive normal humans and those of the indirect and direct pathways for glycogen synthesis, we studied six normal volunteers, who had been fasted for 16 h to reduce their hepatic glycogen stores, and then ingested glucose (250 g over 10 h) enriched with [6-3H] glucose to replenish and label their hepatic glycogen. After a 10-h overnight fast, release of the [6-3H] glucose into the circulation was traced with [2-3H] glucose to estimate breakdown of glycogen that had been formed via the direct pathway while gluconeogenesis was simultaneously estimated by incorporation of infused [14C] lactate into plasma glucose. We found that release of [6-3H] glucose into plasma (6.79 +/- 0.69 mumol.kg-1.min-1) accounted for 46 +/- 5% of hepatic glucose output (15.0 +/- 0.7 mumol.kg-1.min-1) while glucose formed from lactate (2.71 +/- 0.28 mumol.kg-1.min-1) accounted for 19 +/- 2% of hepatic glucose output. Since these determinations underestimate direct pathway glycogenolysis and overall gluconeogenesis, a maximal estimate for the contribution of indirect pathway glycogenolysis to hepatic glucose output is obtained by subtracting the sum of direct pathway glycogenolysis and lactate gluconeogenesis from hepatic glucose output. This amounted to a maximum of 36 +/- 5% of hepatic glucose output and 44 +/- 6% of overall glycogenolysis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Absorption↗

An improved method to calculate adipose tissue interstitial substrate recovery for microdialysis studies.

We simultaneously compared the conventional, time-consuming point of no net flux method for calculation of interstitial substrate recovery necessary for in vivo microdialysis studies with a simple isotopic method using rat epididymal fat pads. The recovery (%) calculated with the conventional method and the isotopic method for glucose (7.4 +/- 1.1 vs. 6.6 +/- 0.6), glycerol (23 +/- 4 vs. 26 +/- 5) and lactate (40 +/- 8 vs. 38 +/- 5), respectively, were not significantly different. Moreover, the overall correlation coefficient (N = 25) between the methods was 0.87, p < 0.001. We therefore conclude that the methods yield comparable results, and the more convenient isotopic method should become the method of choice for determining adipose tissue interstitial recovery for glucose, lactate and glycerol.

Adipose Tissue↗

Effect of hyperketonemia and hyperlacticacidemia on symptoms, cognitive dysfunction, and counterregulatory hormone responses during hypoglycemia in normal humans.

The brain usually depends almost exclusively on glucose for its energy requirements. During hypoglycemia associated with prolonged fasting or strenuous exercise, circulating ketone-body and lactate levels increase several-fold; in both situations, certain signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia are diminished. Therefore, to test the hypothesis that hyperketonemia or hyperlacticacidemia of the magnitude seen during certain clinical situations can substitute for glucose as an energy source for the brain and alter physiological responses to hypoglycemia, we assessed autonomic and neuroglycopenic symptoms, counterregulatory hormone responses, and cognitive function during standardized insulin-induced hypoglycemia in normal volunteers with and without infusion of beta-hydroxybutyrate (BOHB) or lactate designed to reproduce circulating levels of these substrates seen during prolonged fasting and strenuous exercise. Compared with paired control experiments, infusion of BOHB and lactate increased the glycemic threshold (required greater hypoglycemia for initiation) and reduced the magnitude of autonomic and neuroglycopenic symptoms, counterregulatory hormone responses, and cognitive dysfunction (all P < 0.05). The hypoglycemic threshold for autonomic symptoms increased from 3.8 +/- 0.1 to 3.1 +/- 0.2 mmol/l during BOHB infusion and from 3.7 +/- 0.1 to 2.8 +/- 0.1 mmol/l during lactate infusion, and the threshold for neuroglycopenic symptoms increased from 2.8 +/- 0.1 to 2.4 +/- 0.1 and 2.3 +/- 0.1 mmol/l, respectively. The magnitude for autonomic symptoms decreased from 12 +/- 2 and 11 +/- 1 to 6 +/- 2 and 4 +/- 1 during BOHB and lactate infusion, respectively. Neuroglycopenic synptoms decreased from 11 +/- 2 to 3 +/- 1 during both series of experiments.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

3-Hydroxybutyric Acid↗

Hypoglycemia unawareness in IDDM.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the characteristics of patients with hypoglycemia unawareness (development of neuroglycopenia without appropriate prior autonomic warning symptoms) and its predisposing factors. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: We studied 43 insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus patients who were objectively categorized as having or not having hypoglycemia using the stepped hypoglycemic clamp technique in which plasma glucose was clamped at plateaus of 4.3, 3.6, 3.0, and 2.3 mmol/l and a statistical criterion (onset of autonomic warning symptoms at a plasma glucose concentration 2 SD below normal) and examined their clinical characteristics and hormonal, symptomatic, and cognitive responses. RESULTS: Eleven (26%) of the patients were classified as having hypoglycemia unawareness. Compared with the other patients, unaware patients had a lower HbA1c level (P < 0.01), a longer duration of diabetes (P < 0.01), and a history of more severe hypoglycemia (P < 0.003). During experimental hypoglycemia, counterregulatory hormone responses, neuroglycopenic symptoms, and cognitive dysfunction all began at lower plasma glucose concentrations in unaware patients (P < 0.01, 0.03, and 0.01, respectively). Moreover, although the magnitudes of their plasma catecholamine responses and autonomic symptoms were reduced (both, P < 0.01), the plasma catecholamine levels at which autonomic symptoms began was not altered. Finally, as seen from glucose infusion rates necessary to maintain identical plasma glucose levels, patients with hypoglycemia unawareness had increased sensitivity to insulin (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our results confirm an association between hypoglycemia unawareness and duration of diabetes, glycemic control, and occurrence of severe hypoglycemia, and in addition provide evidence that both autonomic and neuroglycopenic symptoms are affected and that insulin sensitivity is increased, but beta-adrenergic sensitivity is not diminished.

Adult↗

Influence of plasma glucose rate of decrease on hierarchy of responses to hypoglycemia.

To test the hypothesis that the rate of decrease in plasma glucose concentration may affect the hierarchy of responses to hypoglycemia, we compared plasma couterregulatory hormone concentrations, autonomic and neuroglycopenic symptom scores, and cognitive function test performance in 10 normal volunteers whose plasma glucose concentration was either rapidly (over 30 min) decreased to 3.7 mmol (66 mg/dL) or was slowly decreased in a stepwise manner to plateaus of 4.3 mmol (78 mg/dL), 3.7 mmol (66 mg/dL), 3.0 mmol (54 mg/dL), and 2.3 mmol (42 mg/dL). Comparable plasma counterregulatory hormone concentrations and autonomic symptom scores were observed in both sets of experiments during the 3.7 mmol (66 mg/dL) plateaus. In the stepwise decrement experiments, significant increases in neuroglycopenic symptom scores and deterioration in cognitive performance occurred only during the last glycemic plateau (2.3 mmol, 42 mg/dL). In the rapid decrement experiments, no increase in neuroglycopenic symptom score or deterioration in cognitive performance was observed during the 3.7 mmol (66 mg/dL) plateau. We, therefore, conclude that in normal volunteers the rate of decrease in plasma glucose concentration does not affect the hierarchy of responses to hypoglycemia.

Adult↗

Limitations in the use of [2-14C]acetate for measuring gluconeogenesis in vivo.

This study was undertaken to test two assumptions critical for use of [2-14C]acetate to measure gluconeogenesis in vivo. For the assumption that incorporation into glucose of products of [14C]acetate metabolism does not affect the distribution of label within the glucose molecule, we infused [2-14C]acetate in 17 healthy subjects and [3-14C]lactate in 10 healthy subjects and compared the ratio of the resultant specific activities of plasma glucose carbons 1, 2, 5, 6, and 3, 4 obtained with each tracer. The ratio obtained with [2-14C]acetate (2.99 +/- 0.07) was significantly different from the ratio obtained with [3-14C]lactate, (3.82 +/- 0.2, P < 0.01). Because the model predicts that these ratios should be identical, these results indicate that either the model is incorrect or that metabolism of [14C]acetate to other compounds affects the distribution of the label within the glucose molecule. To test the assumption that plasma 3-OH-butyrate specific activity approximates the specific activity of hepatic intramitochondrial acetyl CoA, we compared the ratio of specific activities of plasma glucose and 3-OH-butyrate obtained in 7 healthy subjects infused with [2-14C]acetate and [2-14C]octanoate. The ratio obtained with [2-14C]acetate (0.18 +/- 0.03) was significantly different from that obtained with [2-14C]octanoate, (0.10 +/- 0.02), P < 0.001. These results suggest compartmentalization of acetyl CoA within liver mitochondria and indicate that plasma 3-OH-butyrate specific activity may not necessarily approximate intramitochondrial acetyl CoA specific activity during [2-14C]acetate infusion. We conclude that assumptions critical for use of [2-14C]acetate to measure gluconeogenesis in vivo are not valid.

3-Hydroxybutyric Acid↗

Induction of hypoglycemia unawareness by asymptomatic nocturnal hypoglycemia.

Hypoglycemia has been incriminated as a possible factor responsible for development of the hypoglycemia unawareness phenomenon in patients with type I diabetes. Many patients with this condition, however, do not have a history of recent hypoglycemia. Because asymptomatic nocturnal hypoglycemia commonly occurs in type I diabetes, we tested the hypothesis that such episodes might be capable of inducing this phenomenon. Accordingly, autonomic and neuroglycopenic symptoms, counterregulatory hormone responses, and cognitive function were assessed during standardized insulin-induced hypoglycemia in 10 normal volunteer subjects on two occasions--once after induction of asymptomatic nocturnal hypoglycemia and once after control studies in which saline rather than insulin was infused overnight. Compared with control experiments, asymptomatic nocturnal hypoglycemia increased the threshold (required greater hypoglycemia for initiation) and reduced the magnitude of autonomic and neuroglycopenic symptoms, counterregulatory hormone responses, and cognitive dysfunction during subsequent hypoglycemia (all, P < 0.05). These results indicate that asymptomatic hypoglycemia may induce hypoglycemia unawareness and, thus, may explain why not every patient with this condition has a history of prior hypoglycemia. Our results therefore support the concept that in type I diabetes this phenomenon may be largely attributable to antecedent hypoglycemia.

Adult↗

Role of reduced suppression of glucose production and diminished early insulin release in impaired glucose tolerance.

BACKGROUND: Insulin resistance and impaired insulin secretion both occur in non-insulin-dependent diabetes (NIDDM), but their relative importance is unclear. Hyperglycemia itself has adverse effects on tissue insulin sensitivity and insulin secretion that make it difficult to distinguish between primary and secondary abnormalities. To avoid this problem we studied subjects with postprandial glucose intolerance but not sustained hyperglycemia. METHODS: We compared the rate of systemic appearance and disappearance of glucose, the output of endogenous hepatic glucose, splanchnic and muscle uptake of glucose, and plasma insulin and glucagon responses after the ingestion of 1 g of glucose per kilogram of body weight in 15 subjects with impaired glucose tolerance (8 of them nonobese and 7 obese) and in 16 normal subjects (9 nonobese and 7 obese) who were matched for age and weight. RESULTS: After glucose ingestion the mean (+/- SE) rate of total systemic appearance of glucose was significantly higher in both the nonobese subjects (455 +/- 12 mmol per five hours) and the obese subjects (486 +/- 17 mmol per five hours) with impaired glucose tolerance than in the respective normal subjects (411 +/- 11 and 436 +/- 7 mmol per five hours). This difference was fully accounted for by the reduced suppression of endogenous hepatic glucose in the subjects with impaired glucose tolerance (a reduction of about 28 percent, vs. 48 percent in the normal subjects; P less than 0.01). Despite late hyperinsulinemia, at 30 minutes the subjects with impaired glucose tolerance had smaller increases in plasma insulin and smaller reductions in plasma glucagon (both P less than 0.01). Molar ratios of plasma insulin to plasma glucagon levels correlated inversely (r = -0.62, P less than 0.001) with the rates of systemic glucose appearance; the latter correlated positively (r = 0.72, P less than 0.0001) with peak plasma glucose concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: Impaired glucose tolerance, the precursor of NIDDM, results primarily from reduced suppression of hepatic glucose output due to abnormal pancreatic islet-cell function. The late hyperinsulinemia may be the consequence of an inadequate early beta-cell response rather than of insulin resistance.

Blood Glucose↗

Evidence against the hypothesis that hyperinsulinemia increases sympathetic nervous system activity in man.

To test the hypothesis that physiologic hyperinsulinemia activates the sympathetic nervous system in humans, we measured changes in plasma norepinephrine as well as epinephrine concentrations during euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp experiments in which normal volunteers were infused with insulin for up to 12 hours, at rates chosen to simulate the basal and postprandial hyperinsulinemia seen in insulin-resistant states. Infusions of insulin increased plasma insulin threefold (to approximately 200 pmol/L) and 15-fold (to approximately 1,000 pmol/L) in simulations of fasting and postprandial hyperinsulinemia. In neither experiment did plasma norepinephrine or epinephrine change significantly. In control experiments in which saline was infused for 12 hours, plasma epinephrine increased twofold (P less than .05), but plasma norepinephrine did not change. Therefore, we conclude that hyperinsulinemia of the magnitude seen in the insulin-resistant humans does not increase sympathetic nervous system activity.

Adult↗

Increased lipolysis and its consequences on gluconeogenesis in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

The present studies were undertaken to determine whether lipolysis was increased in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) and, if so, to assess the influence of increased glycerol availability on its conversion to glucose and its contribution to the increased gluconeogenesis found in this condition. For this purpose, we infused nine subjects with NIDDM and 16 age-, weight-matched nondiabetic volunteers with [2-3H] glucose and [U-14C] glycerol and measured their rates of glucose and glycerol appearance in plasma and their rates of glycerol incorporation into plasma glucose. The rate of glycerol appearance, an index of lipolysis, was increased 1.5-fold in NIDDM subjects (2.85 +/- 0.16 vs. 1.62 +/- 0.08 mumol/kg per min, P less than 0.001). Glycerol incorporation into plasma glucose was increased threefold in NIDDM subjects (1.13 +/- 1.10 vs. 0.36 +/- 0.02 mumol/kg per min, P less than 0.01) and accounted for twice as much of hepatic glucose output (6.0 +/- 0.5 vs. 3.0 +/- 0.2%, P less than 0.001). Moreover, the percent of glycerol turnover used for gluconeogenesis (77 +/- 6 vs. 44 +/- 2, P less than 0.001) was increased in NIDDM subjects and, for a given plasma glycerol concentration, glycerol gluconeogenesis was increased more than two-fold. The only experimental variable significantly correlated with the increased glycerol gluconeogenesis after taking glycerol availability into consideration was the plasma free fatty acid concentration (r = 0.80, P less than 0.01). We, therefore, conclude that lipolysis is increased in NIDDM and, although more glycerol is thus available, increased activity of the intrahepatic pathway for conversion of glycerol into glucose, due at least in part to increased plasma free fatty acids, is the predominant mechanism responsible for enhanced glycerol gluconeogenesis. Finally, although gluconeogenesis from glycerol in NIDDM is comparable to that of alanine and about one-fourth that of lactate is terms of overall flux into glucose, glycerol is probably the most important gluconeogenic precursor in NIDDM in terms of adding new carbons to the glucose pool.

Blood Glucose↗

Hierarchy of glycemic thresholds for counterregulatory hormone secretion, symptoms, and cerebral dysfunction.

To define glycemic thresholds for activation of counterregulatory hormone secretion, initiation of symptoms (autonomic and neuroglycopenic), and onset of deterioration of cognitive function, we measured indexes of these responses during glycemic plateaus of 90, 78, 66, 54, and 42 mg/dl in 10 normal volunteers, with the use of the hyperinsulinemic glucose clamp technique. Activation of glucagon, epinephrine, norepinephrine, and growth hormone secretion began at arterialized venous plasma glucose concentrations of 68 +/- 1, 68 +/- 1, 65 +/- 1, and 67 +/- 2 (SE) mg/dl, respectively. Autonomic symptoms (anxiety, palpitations, sweating, irritability, and tremor) began at 58 +/- 2 mg/dl, which was significantly (P = 0.0001) lower. Neuroglycopenic symptoms (hunger, dizziness, tingling, blurred vision, difficulty thinking, and faintness) and deterioration in cognitive function tests began at 51 +/- 3 and 49 +/- 2 mg/dl, respectively, values that were both significantly (P = 0.018 and 0.004, respectively) lower than that for initiation of autonomic symptoms. We therefore conclude that there is a distinct hierarchy of responses to decrements in plasma glucose, such that the threshold for activation of counterregulatory hormone secretion occurs at higher plasma glucose levels than that for initiation of autonomic warning symptoms, which in turn occurs at higher plasma glucose levels than that for onset of neuroglycopenic symptoms and deterioration in cerebral function. Such a hierarchy would maximize the opportunity to avoid incapacitating hypoglycemia.

Adult↗

Glucagon-cortisol interactions on glucose turnover and lactate gluconeogenesis in normal humans.

To determine the mechanism for cortisol enhancement of glucagon-stimulated overall hepatic glucose output (OHGO), we employed the glucose-insulin clamp technique with infusions of [6-3H]glucose and [U-14C]lactate and measured OHGO, glucose utilization, and the turnover and incorporation of lactate in plasma glucose in normal volunteers under four experimental conditions: 1) normoglucagonemia (approximately 150 pg/ml)- normocortisolemia (approximately 14 micrograms/dl); 2) isolated hyperglucagonemia (approximately 550 pg/ml); 3) isolated hypercortisolemia (approximately 32 micrograms/dl); and 4) combined hyperglucagonemia-hypercortisolemia. Isolated hyperglucagonemia caused initial increases in OHGO and lactate gluconeogenesis, which were maximal at 1 h (23.9 +/- 1 and 2.7 +/- 0.4 mumol.kg-1.min-1, respectively) but remained significantly above values in control experiments through 5 h (10.3 +/- 0.7 vs. 8.2 +/- 1.1, P less than 0.03; 2.2 +/- 0.4 vs. 1.2 +/- 0.3, mumol.kg-1.min-1, P less than 0.04, respectively). Hypercortisolemia has no effect on OHGO but increased lactate gluconeogenesis after 3 h. Superimposition of hypercortisolemia on hyperglucagonemia did not further increase OHGO (11.1 +/- 0.7 vs. 10.3 +/- 0.7 mumol.kg-1.min-1, P = NS) but augmented lactate gluconeogenesis additively (isolated hyperglucagonemia = 0.96, isolated hypercortisolemia = 0.98; combined = 2.02 mumol.kg-1.min-1). Neither glucagon nor cortisol affected lactate turnover or glucose utilization. We conclude that glucagon has a persistent effect on OHGO largely accounted for by increased gluconeogenesis. Cortisol augments glucagon-stimulated gluconeogenesis in an additive manner best explained by changes in gluconeogenic enzymes rather than in substrate availability. Finally, the fact that cortisol increased gluconeogenesis without affecting glucose utilization suggests that the liver is more sensitive to the diabetogenic effects of cortisol than are peripheral tissues.

Acetates↗

Contribution of abnormal muscle and liver glucose metabolism to postprandial hyperglycemia in NIDDM.

To assess the role of muscle and liver in the pathogenesis of postprandial hyperglycemia in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), we administered an oral glucose load enriched with [14C]glucose to 10 NIDDM subjects and 10 age- and weight-matched nondiabetic volunteers and compared muscle glucose disposal by measuring forearm balance of glucose, lactate, alanine, O2, and CO2 (with forearm calorimetry). In addition, we used the dual-lable isotope method to compare overall rates of glucose appearance (Ra) and disappearance (Rd), suppression of endogenous glucose output, and splanchnic glucose sequestration. During the initial 1-1.5 h after glucose ingestion, plasma glucose increased by approximately 8 mM in NIDDM vs. approximately 3 mM in nondiabetic subjects (P less than 0.01); overall glucose Ra was nearly 11 g greater in NIDDM than nondiabetic subjects (45.1 +/- 2.3 vs. 34.4 +/- 1.5 g, P less than 0.01), but glucose Rd was not significantly different in NIDDM (35.1 +/- 2.4 g) and nondiabetic (33.3 +/- 2.7 g) subjects. The greater overall glucose Ra of NIDDM subjects was due to 6.8 g greater endogenous glucose output (13.7 +/- 1.1 vs. 6.8 +/- 1.0 g, P less than 0.01) and 3.8 g less oral glucose splanchnic sequestration of the oral load (31.4 +/- 1.5 vs. 27.5 +/- 0.9 g, P less than 0.05). Although glucose taken up by muscle was not significantly different in NIDDM and nondiabetic subjects (39.3 +/- 3.5 vs. 41.0 +/- 2.5 g/5 h), a greater amount of the glucose taken up by muscle in NIDDM was released as lactate and alanine (11.7 +/- 1.0 vs. 5.2 +/- 0.3 g in nondiabetic subjects, P less than 0.01), and less was stored (11.7 +/- 1.3 vs. 16.9 +/- 1.5 g, P less than 0.05). We conclude that increased systemic glucose delivery, due primarily to reduced suppression of endogenous hepatic glucose output and, to a lesser extent, reduced splanchnic glucose sequestration, is the predominant factor responsible for postprandial hyperglycemia in NIDDM.

Administration, Oral↗

Effect of dihydroxyacetone and pyruvate on plasma glucose concentration and turnover in noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

Consumption of dihydroxyacetone and pyruvate (DHP) increases muscle extraction of glucose in normal men. To test the hypothesis that these three-carbon compounds would improve glycemic control in diabetes, we evaluated the effect of DHP on plasma glucose concentration, turnover, recycling, and tolerance in 7 women with noninsulin-dependent diabetes. The subjects consumed a 1,500-calorie diet (55% carbohydrate, 30% fat, 15% protein), randomly containing 13% of the calories as DHP (1/1) or Polycose (placebo; PL), as a drink three times daily for 7 days. On the 8th day, primed continuous infusions of [6-3H]-glucose and [U-14C]-glucose were begun at 05.00 h, and at 09.00 h a 3-hour glucose tolerance test (75 g glucola) was performed. Two weeks later the subjects repeated the study with the other diet. The fasting plasma glucose level decreased by 14% with DHP (DHP = 8.0 +/- 0.9 mmol/l; PL = 9.3 +/- 1.0 mmol/l, p less than 0.05) which accounted for lower postoral glucose glycemia (DHP = 13.1 +/- 0.8 mmol/l, PL = 14.7 +/- 0.8 mmol/l, p less than 0.05). [6-3H]-glucose turnover (DHP = 1.50 +/- 0.19 mg.kg-1.min-1, PL = 1.77 +/- 0.21 mg.kg-1.min-1, p less than 0.05) and glucose recycling, the difference in [6-3H]-glucose and [U-14C]-glucose turnover rates, decreased with DHP (DHP = 0.25 +/- 0.07 mg.kg-1.min-1, PL = 0.54 +/- 0.10 mg.kg-1.min-1, p less than 0.05). Fasting and postoral glucose, plasma insulin, glucagon, and C peptide levels were unaffected by DHP.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Blood Glucose↗