Abstract
Background/ObjectivesA different ability to regulate glucose homeostasis between men and women may contribute to their difference in diabetes prevalence and in its predisposing conditions. Data on this issue are controversial because of heterogeneous protocols and insufficient control of confounders affecting glucose metabolism like age, body composition, and physical activity level. To clarify this issue, we compared among sexes the postprandial glucose metabolism after the administration of a balanced mixed meal normalized to daily energy expenditure.Subjects/MethodsThirty-six healthy young volunteers (18 men and 18 women; age, 23.9 ± 2.8 years; BMI, 21.9 ± 1.7 kg/m2) were recruited for the experiment. After overnight fast, subjects consumed a mixed meal providing 40% of daily energy expenditure (60% carbohydrates, 25% lipids, 15% proteins) estimated multiplying resting energy expenditure, obtained by Harris & Benedict equation, for the corresponding physical activity level. Blood was sampled at 0, 10, 20, 30, 45, 60, 90, 120, and 180 min and serum concentrations of glucose, insulin, and C-peptide were measured.ResultsFasting serum glucose concentrations were lower in women than in men, while fasting insulin and C-peptide concentrations did not differ between sexes. Linear mixed models did not show any significant effect of sex and sex # time interaction on postprandial serum glucose, insulin, and C-peptide concentrations. The comparison of areas under the curve between the sexes revealed similar glycemic, insulinemic, and C-peptide postprandial responses between men and women.ConclusionsOur results do not support the hypothesis of a sexual dimorphism in the regulation of carbohydrate metabolism in young when a mixed meal normalized on individual daily energy expenditure is ingested.
Highlights
Prevalence of diabetes is globally increasing among all ages [1, 2]
Data from several countries reported that the prevalence of impaired fasting glucose (IFG) and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) differs by sex, with IFG being more prevalent in men and IGT more prevalent in women [4,5,6,7,8]
Statistical analysis Descriptive variables data are reported as mean ± standard deviation
Summary
The global prevalence of diabetes is higher in men than in women [3]. Data from several countries reported that the prevalence of impaired fasting glucose (IFG) and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) differs by sex, with IFG being more prevalent in men and IGT more prevalent in women [4,5,6,7,8]. The hypothesis has been put forward that men and women have a different ability to regulate glucose homeostasis. If confirmed, this would have important implications for nutritional strategies for diabetes prevention and management [10, 11]
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