The response of pancreatic alpha and beta cells to oral glucose stimulation in subjects with risk of diabetes
Ferrero, E.; Casale, G.; Ravecca, D.; Ricci, C.
Minerva Medica 72(17): 1065-1070
1981
ISSN/ISBN: 0026-4806 PMID: 6112718 Document Number: 174851
Oral glucose tolerance tests (g 1/kg body weight were performed in 14 high diabetic risk subjects (mean age: 39,5 years), 9 insulin-dependent diabetic patients (mean age: 37,8 years) and 14 normal subjects (mean age: 31,5 years). Glucose, IRI and IRG were determined at various intervals. In the high diabetic risk subjects: 1) the OGTT was normal; 2) the insulin response to carbohydrate ingestion was significantly higher than in normals and, of course, in diabetics; 3) the fasting glucagon levels showed no significant differences from the normals; 4) significant suppression of fasting glucagon concentration was observed in normals after oral glucose, but not in high diabetic risk subjects and in diabetic patients. On the basis of our findings it might be suggested, therefore, that in the subjects, who are genetically pre disposed to developing diabetes mellitus, insulin does not suppress pancreatic glucagon secretion or owing to a functional disorder among alpha- beta- and delta-cells, somatostatin secretion is deficient or slow with following hyperinsulinemia and hyperglucagonemia.