Insulin sensitivity in pancreatitis, liver diseases, steroid treatment and hyperthyroidism assessed by glucose, insulin and somatostatin infusion

Horm Metab Res. 1984 Jan;16(1):3-6. doi: 10.1055/s-2007-1014681.

Abstract

In order to assess insulin sensitivity for glucose utilization in the other type of diabetes, insulin sensitivity tests were performed in subjects with pancreatitis, liver disease, steroid treatment and hyperthyroidism. Insulin sensitivity for glucose utilization decreased in subjects with liver disease, steroid treatment and hyperthyroidism irrespective of the presence or absence of glucose intolerance. Hyperinsulinism was associated in most of the subjects with liver disease and steroid treatment, but even in normo-insulinemic subjects, insulin insensitivity was observed. Obesity was associated with only 2 cases in both pancreatitis and liver diseases and therefore was excluded as a major cause for insulin insensitivity in subjects studied. In subjects with pancreatitis, insulin sensitivity was not significantly decreased. It is to be noted that 4 out of 5 subjects with diabetic OGTT (oral glucose tolerance test) exhibited normal insulin sensitivity. The results indicate that in pancreatitis, tissue insulin sensitivity for glucose metabolism is not altered and therefore can be used as a marker to differentiate the other type of diabetes due to pancreatitis from type 1 or 2 diabetes. Although hyperinsulinemia may be attributable to insulin insensitivity in subjects studied at least in part, steroid and thyroid hormone are thought to act directly antagonistically with insulin for glucose metabolism.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Blood Glucose / analysis
  • Diabetes Mellitus / classification
  • Female
  • Glucose Tolerance Test
  • Humans
  • Hyperthyroidism / metabolism*
  • Insulin / physiology*
  • Liver Diseases / metabolism*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pancreatitis / metabolism*
  • Somatostatin*
  • Steroids / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Blood Glucose
  • Insulin
  • Steroids
  • Somatostatin