Differences In Glucose Responses Research Articles

Differences in glucose response to insulin stimulation and fasting between Angora goats of two different phenotypes

The aim of this study was to investigate suggestions that the high incidence of abortions and cold stress fatalities in Angora goats is due to an anomaly in glucose homeostasis brought about by selection for high levels of mohair production. Fifty-nine bucks of a large phenotype which produces a relatively large amount of mohair of a large fibre diameter (high producers) were compared to 56 bucks of a smaller phenotype which produces less mohair of a smaller fibre diameter (low producers). Basal plasma glucose concentrations were determined on two occasions: prior to intravenous injection of insulin and prior to a 48 h fast. In both instances concentrations were 6–9% lower in high producers. High producers took 22% longer to restore glucose concentration to basal levels following insulin injection, and glucose concentrations declined 28% more rapidly during fasting. The results indicate that the high producing phenotype is characterized by an inability to mobilize glucose precursors during periods of increased demand, and it was suggested that this may be related to the high incidence of abortions and cold-related deaths reported among Angoras. There was no correlation between any of these parameters and fibre growth rate, and it was concluded that the physiology of animals selected under conditions where natural fluctuations in nutrient supply are abridged by supplementary feeding may have changed to favour nutrient partitioning towards hair production at the expense of labile body protein reserves.

Ethnic differences in insulin and glucose response to glucose between white and Indian women with polycystic ovary syndrome

To examine different patterns of glucose and insulin secretion in women (of both Indian and white ethnic backgrounds) with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). A 75-g oral glucose tolerance test was performed in 11 subjects from each group. Reproductive Medicine and Gynecological Clinics from The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woodville, South Australia, and King Edward the VIIIth Hospital, Durban, South Africa. Couples were grouped as follows: Indian nonobese and obese PCOS, Indian nonobese and obese reference subjects, white nonobese and obese PCOS, white nonobese and obese reference subjects. Insulin and glucose in plasma after oral glucose testing. Indian PCOS and nonobese reference subjects had higher insulin responses than whites. The ethnic difference was less pronounced in obese women. There were no ethnic differences in glucose response. This study demonstrates that the ethnic background of subjects with PCOS needs to be considered in studies on the metabolic parameters in this condition.

One-hour glucose tolerance in relation to the use of contraceptive drugs

One-hour glucose tolerance tests on 4,815 women of reproductive age having multiphasic health checkups were cross-sectionally analyzed in relation to the use of contraceptive drugs. One-hour serum glucose levels were found to be higher in women taking a contraceptive drug than in others. The mean difference between pill users and nonusers of like age was 11 mg. per 100 ml. There was no observable variation in the glucose response of women taking oral contraceptives associated with the formulation and steroid components of the drug used or the duration of use. The effect of the contraceptive drugs on one-hour glucose tolerance was found to be additive to the effects of age, obesity, and a family history of diabetes. No discernible difference in glucose response was found between past users of contraceptive drugs and “never users,” regardless of the duration of use or the interval since discontinuation.

Oral glucose tolerance and periodontal status

Conventional oral glucose tolerance tests were performed for 100 systemically healthy young adult males. Half of these subjects were classified as being relatively free of periodontal involvement (GPI = 1.60), while the other half presented evidence of loss of alveolar support and, in general, could be classified es requiring periodontal treatment (GPI = 3.15). Statistical analyses sought differences in glucose responses between the two groups at all sampling intervals. No significant differences were found.