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Insulin sensitivity predicts glycemia after a protein load
J C Brand-Miller1, S Colagiuri, S T Gan
1Department of Biochemistry, University of Sydney, Australia.
Metabolism: Clinical and Experimental
|January 26, 2000
Summary
Insulin sensitivity influences how the body handles protein meals. More insulin-sensitive individuals experience a greater drop in blood glucose after consuming protein, suggesting a link between insulin sensitivity and post-meal glucose regulation.
Area of Science:
- Metabolic Physiology
- Endocrinology
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Protein intake causes minor but noticeable changes in blood glucose and insulin levels.
- The relationship between protein's metabolic effects and an individual's insulin sensitivity is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the correlation between insulin sensitivity and postprandial glucose, insulin, C-peptide, and glucagon responses.
- To compare responses to a protein meal versus a glucose load in relation to insulin sensitivity.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp technique to assess insulin sensitivity (M value).
- Measured plasma glucose, insulin, C-peptide, and glucagon levels after a 75-g protein meal and a 75-g glucose load.
- Analyzed data from 16 healthy, lean Caucasian subjects.
Main Results:
- Insulin sensitivity (M value) inversely correlated with the plasma glucose response to the protein meal (r = -.58, P = .03).
- More insulin-sensitive subjects exhibited a more significant decline in plasma glucose post-protein intake.
- No significant correlation was found between insulin sensitivity and insulin or glucagon responses to the protein meal, nor with any metabolic responses to the glucose load.
Conclusions:
- Postprandial glucose levels after protein ingestion appear to be influenced by an individual's insulin sensitivity.
- Liver gluconeogenesis might be less inhibited by insulin in insulin-resistant individuals, potentially explaining the attenuated glucose decline.