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Insulin induced hypoglycaemia: comparison of glucose and glycerol concentrations in plasma and microdialysate from

A Kamel1, S Norgren, B Persson

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Huddinge University Hospital, Sweden.

Archives of Disease in Childhood
|May 18, 1999
PubMed

Insights

Interstitial glucose levels in children lag behind plasma glucose during hypoglycemia recovery. This delay impacts how the body responds to low blood sugar and insulin.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Metabolic Dynamics
  • Glucose Homeostasis

Background:

  • Understanding glucose dynamics in children is crucial for managing metabolic disorders.
  • Hypoglycemia poses significant risks in pediatric populations.
  • Interstitial glucose monitoring offers insights into tissue-level metabolic changes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between plasma and interstitial glucose during induced hypoglycemia in children.
  • To examine the dynamics of glucose and glycerol in plasma and subcutaneous adipose tissue.
  • To assess the counterregulatory hormone response during hypoglycemia.

Main Methods:

  • Studied six prepubertal/early pubertal children undergoing an arginine-insulin tolerance test.
  • Utilized multiple blood sampling and microdialysis of subcutaneous adipose tissue.
  • Measured glucose and glycerol (lipolysis index) in plasma and dialysate, alongside hormone levels.

Main Results:

  • Plasma and dialysate glucose mirrored each other at baseline and after arginine infusion.
  • Glucose levels decreased in parallel in both compartments after insulin administration.
  • Interstitial glucose rebound was delayed by 16 minutes post-hypoglycemia compared to plasma.
  • Lipolysis, indicated by glycerol, was suppressed by insulin but reactivated during hypoglycemia despite hyperinsulinemia.

Conclusions:

  • Interstitial glucose concentration recovery is significantly delayed after induced hypoglycemia in children.
  • The body's counterregulatory response to hypoglycemia can override the antilipolytic effects of insulin.
  • These findings highlight differences in glucose kinetics between plasma and interstitial fluid during metabolic stress.
Abstract

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