Glucose tolerance and insulin release, a mathematical approach. II. Approximation of the peripheral insulin...

A parameter of peripheral insulin activity (A = 10(4)/IpGp) can be obtained after oral glucose loading by simple calcuation using insulin and glucose levels at the glucose peak. In combination with a glucose-independent parameter of beta-cell function (CIR = 100. I/G(G-70) a parameter of glucose tolerance (GT = A-CIR) is defined. The parameters allow one to separate the contributions of beta-cell function and peripheral insulin resistance to the glucose tolerance observed after glucose loading. Examples, based on the literature and our own work, illustrate the increase of A and GT by cortisone acetate premedication as well as long-term oral contraceptive medication.