Association of VO2 and VCO2 rate variability with serum glucose, insulin, and glucose intolerance

Changes in the cellular metabolism assessed by the variability of oxygen consumption (VO(2) ) and carbon dioxide production (VCO(2) ) as well as the association of serum glucose and insulin to energy spectral density (ESD) of VO(2) and VCO(2) were evaluated. Ten nonglucose intolerant and 10 glucose intolerant subjects, aged 21-70 years, were included. Glucose and insulin concentrations and VO(2) and VCO(2) records were collected every 10 min during 3 h. ESD of VO(2) and VCO(2) was estimated and associated with glucose and insulin concentrations. Statistical significance in glucose levels, insulin, and ESD of VO(2) and VCO(2) among nonglucose intolerant subjects and glucose and insulin among glucose intolerance subjects at postload glucose (PLG) state compared with basal state was found. Moreover, glucose was significantly higher in glucose intolerance subjects than nonglucose intolerant subjects for basal and PLG states. These results show an increment in ESD of VO(2) and VCO(2) at PLG state among nonglucose intolerant subjects and suggest that their measurement may be a key indicator of the variability of cellular metabolic activity and contribute to confirm disturbances in glucose metabolism.