[Changes in storage and oxydation of ingested glucose in obesity and diabetes mellitus]

Indirect calorimetric studies were performed during a 100 g oral glucose tolerance test in diabetic patients with varying degrees of endocrine pancreatic dysfunction and in a control group of normal subjects. In 3 obese diabetics the study was repeated after a 3 day protein sparing modiefied fast. In diabetic patients the results show alterations of oxidation and storage of carbohydrates, related to insulin secretion deficiency on the one hand, and to overweight on the other. Endocrine pancreatic insufficiency may account directly for alterations observed in individuals with decreased or absent insulin response to glucose load, wheras metabolic factors such as adipose mass, hepatic steatosis, and peripheral insulin resistance appear to be responsible for alterations in carbohydrate oxidation and storage in subjects with relative endocrine pancreatic insufficiency, particularly obese diabetics.