PROINSULIN AND INSULIN LEVELS ACCORDING TO GLUCOSE-TOLERANCE AMONG JAPANESE-BRAZILIANS, AGED 40-79 YEARS

This study of the Japanese-Brazilians living in Bauru, Sao Paulo, Braz il, aimed at determining the prevalence of DM in the first (Issei) and second (Nisei) generations, according to WHO criteria. Insulin and pr oinsulin were determined by new immunofluorimetric assays (IMFA), that , measure true insulin and intact proinsulin, at fasting and 2 h after glucose load. The data showed a very scattered distribution, so only medians are shown and no statistical testing applied. There was a tend ency for higher fasting proinsulin levels in the diabetic groups. The highest fasting proinsulin levels were seen in the diabetic patients, Either obese or non-obese. The post-load insulin levels were higher in diabetic and IGT individuals, compared to normals. Both generations s howed a distinct behaviour for the obese and non-obese groups. and no major differences were observed between generations. This population s eems to be sensitive to environmental changes, since the obese groups showed the higher levels of proinsulin and insulin. In the evaluation of the role of the environmental factors in the pathogenesis of DM, pr oinsulin and insulin levels could act as early markers of pancreatic d ysfunctions.