Differential plasma glucose response to varying glucose loads in non-insulin dependent (type 2) diabetics with...

In order to examine a possible diabetic disturbance in the buffer mechanism in the liver for the caloric supply, different amounts of glucose (30 and 100 g) were given orally and the plasma glucose and IRI were compared between type 2 diabetics without retinopathy and those with retinopathy. In the diabetics without retinopathy, the time course change in the plasma glucose levels were not significantly different between the 100 g and 30 g OGTT, while in those with retinopathy the increments of plasma glucose levels were influenced by the variation of glucose load. The additional insulin secretions were similar after 30 g and 100 g OGTT in the diabetics with retinopathy, while in those without retinopathy the amounts of insulin secretions on the 100 g OGTT were larger than those observed after 30 g OGTT. These facts suggest that the liver of diabetics with retinopathy, in contrast to that in diabetics without retinopathy, cannot buffer the fuel supply against varying amounts ingested.