[Sensitivity of adipose tissue to insulin in latent diabetes mellitus (a clinico--experimental study)]

A study was made of the sensitivity of adipose tissue to insulin in patients with latent diabetes mellitus and in rats with latent alloxan diabetes. Investigations were carried out by the intensity of glucose-C-14 incorporation into total lipids of adipose tissue during its incubation with various insulin concentrations. It was demonstrated that in rats with latent alloxan diabetes sensitivity of adipose tissue to insulin was unchanged in comparison with control rats. Sensitivity of adipose tissue to insulin was significantly reduced in the patients with latent diabetes mellitus in comparison with control. The data obtained indicated that reduction of the sensitivity of adipose tissue to insulin in patients with latent diabetes mellitus served as a primary factor in the pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus, responsible for the appearance of a relative insulin deficiency.