[Plasma insulin changes in obesity with or without abnormal glucose tolerance]

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Metabolic Disorders
• Obesity Research

Background:

• Obesity is linked to altered insulin dynamics.
• Understanding insulin variations in obesity is crucial for metabolic health.
• Glucose intolerance often coexists with obesity, affecting insulin regulation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate plasmatic insulin variations in obese individuals.
• To determine the origins of insulin dysregulation in obesity with or without glucose intolerance.
• To explore the relationship between body mass index and insulin levels.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of plasma insulin levels in fasting and post-oral glucose overload states.
• Assessment of hepatic insulin clearance.
• Categorization of patients based on glucose tolerance (normal vs. abnormal).

Main Results:

• Obese patients with normal glucose tolerance showed normal or hypersecretion of insulin.
• Fasting hyperinsulinism in obese patients with normal glucose tolerance stemmed from reduced hepatic insulin clearance or hypersecretion.
• Obese patients with glucose intolerance predominantly exhibited hypersecretion of insulin, with post-glucose overload hyperinsulinism attributed to hypersecretion and/or reduced hepatic clearance.

Conclusions:

• Hyperinsulinism in obesity has varied origins, including decreased hepatic clearance and increased insulin secretion.
• Glucose intolerance exacerbates insulin hypersecretion in obese individuals.
• An inverse correlation between body mass index and insulin levels was noted in obese patients with normal glucose tolerance.