[Potassium depletion. Glucose intolerance. Senile diabetes. A study of possible pathogenetic relations. 2]

The effects of intake of potassium salts for 21-28 days on the glucose tolerance of 10 elderly subjects with clear diabetes were examined by means of the Tolbutamide test (TT) and the i.v. glucose tolerance test (IVGTT). Improvement in tolerance, to the extent of a reduction in glycaemic levels and better coefficients, was observed in all values of the two tests and in basal glycaemia values, with constantly significant differences at statistical examination. In a group of 4 cases in which Tolbutamide treatment was suspended for the same period, this improvement in the Tolbutamide Test was not observed. With this second confirmation of the initial hypothesis, the pathogenetic significance and biological relevance of potassium depletion in senile diabetes and generally, in the ageing process, are discussed.