The early partial remission of juvenilediabetes mellitus: The roles of insulin and growth hormone

Abstract

Ten children with juvenile diabetes mellitus were studied with oral glucose tolerancetests at the onset of their disease and during the period of partial remission. No significant improvement in carbohydrate tolerance was observed. Free fatty-acid responses improved, but abnormalities were still demonstrable. Fasting growth hormone levels were normal, and no changes were noted in the growth-hormone responses before therapy and during remission. Plasma insulin concentrations were very low at the time of the clinical onset, and no significant improvement in insulin secretion was observed during the phase of partial remission. These data suggest that increased insulin production or changes in growth hormone do not play roles in the early partial remission of juvenile diabetes.