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[Insulin secretion and sensitivity in patients with secondary failure to oral hypoglycemic drugs]

G López1, M Calvillán, P Durruty

  • 1Unidad de Diabetes y Nutrición, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile.

Revista Medica De Chile
|September 1, 1992
PubMed

Insights

Patients with secondary failure to oral hypoglycemic drugs exhibit normal insulin levels but reduced insulin sensitivity, indicating impaired glucose regulation despite adequate insulin secretion.

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Metabolic Disorders
  • Diabetes Mellitus Research

Background:

  • Type 2 diabetes management often involves oral hypoglycemic agents.
  • Secondary failure to oral hypoglycemic drugs necessitates further investigation into underlying mechanisms.
  • Understanding insulin secretion and sensitivity is crucial for managing diabetes progression.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate insulin secretion and peripheral insulin sensitivity in diabetic patients experiencing secondary failure to oral hypoglycemic drugs.
  • To compare these parameters between non-responders, responders, and healthy controls.

Main Methods:

  • Studied 8 non-responders, 7 responders, and 8 controls, comparable in age, nutritional status, and diabetes duration.
  • Assessed insulin secretion via urinary peptide C measurements post-breakfast.
  • Evaluated in vivo insulin sensitivity using the euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp technique.

Main Results:

  • Non-responders had significantly higher fasting blood sugar levels than responders and controls.
  • Insulin levels were similar in non-responders and responders, but higher than controls.
  • Urinary peptide C was lower in non-responders compared to responders, but similar to controls, indicating no difference in insulin secretion.
  • Insulin sensitivity index was significantly lower in both non-responders and responders compared to controls.

Conclusions:

  • Patients with secondary failure to oral hypoglycemic drugs demonstrate normal insulin levels, though inappropriately high for their hyperglycemia.
  • Insulin sensitivity in non-responders is comparable to responders but markedly reduced compared to healthy individuals.
  • These findings suggest impaired insulin sensitivity as a key factor in secondary drug failure in type 2 diabetes.

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