[Influence of aging on glucose tolerance and insulin secretion (author's transl)]

Oral and intravenous glucose tolerance tests were performed in three different age groups, separately for men and women. Blood glucose and insulin levels were examined. Advanced age is associated with reduced glucose tolerance independent whether it is investigated by means of intravenous or oral glucose application. Concomitant examination of plasma insulin, however, differentiates between the intravenous and the oral glucose tolerance test. While the high insulin levels after oral glucose administration are rather increasing with age, the minor insulin reaction after the intravenous glucose route is decreasing with advancing age. Results of the intravenous and the oral glucose tolerance test reveal no difference between male and female subject as long as blood sugar is examined. However, insulin levels and the insulinogenic index are consistently higher in men than in women.