Effect of acute hypercalcaemia on glucose tolerance and insulin release in human beings

Insulin secretion in response to an oral glucose challenge during acute hypercalcaemia was studied. Oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT) were performed in 12 non-diabetic, non-obese human volunteers, aged 20-28 years. Blood samples were collected for calcium, glucose and insulin determination. The next day the same volunteers received a 4 h infusion of calcium gluconate (15 mg/kg/4 h) and were administered glucose 1 h after starting the infusion. Serum calcium, glucose and insulin concentrations were measured again. Infusion of calcium gluconate resulted in an increase in serum calcium concentration of 5 mg/100 ml over 4 h. During these infusions no significant changes in glucose concentrations were noted. On the other hand, the total mean insulin concentration, expressed as the area under the 3 h glucose tolerance curve, and the insulin peak at 30 min were significantly increased during hypercalcaemia (P < 0.001). These data indicate that acute hypercalcaemia does not affect carbohydrate tolerance but increases insulin secretion in human beings.