Effects of training and detraining on dose-response relationship between glucose and insulin secretion

We studied the effect of training and detraining on the dose-response relationship between plasma glucose and beta-cell secretion in seven trained young men using sequential hyperglycemic clamp technique (7, 11, and 20 mM). Experiments were performed in the habitual state 15 h after last training session (T) as well as after 5 days of detraining (DT). Results were compared to data from seven untrained subjects (UT). Glucose-stimulated insulin, proinsulin, and C-peptide levels were lower in T than in UT. They increased during detraining but not to levels seen in UT. Furthermore, in T and DT, but not in UT, increases in C-peptide and proinsulin leveled off with increasing glucose concentrations. Estimated by C-peptide-to-insulin ratios, clearance of endogenous insulin was not influenced by T. Glucose uptake in tissue was the same in T, DT, and UT during clamps, despite lower insulin levels in T and DT. Differences between groups in counterregulatory hormones, fat metabolites, alanine, or electrolytes did not account for these findings. Oxygen consumption was higher in the basal state in T and DT compared with UT but increased similarly in all groups in response to glucose.

regular physical activity causes an adaptive decrease in glucose-mediated beta-cell secretion in humans. The training-induced decrease in glucose-stimulated insulin secretion is accurately matched to increased insulin action, keeping glucose disposal constant at any given plasma glucose concentration. Finally, training increases basal metabolic rate but does not influence glucose-induced thermogenesis or clearance of endogenous insulin.