EFFECT OF LIPID INFUSION ON POSTABSORPTIVE GLUCOSE-METABOLISM IN NON-INSULIN-DEPENDENT DIABETIC-PATIENTS

The effect of a lipid infusion on postabsorptive glucose metabolism wa s investigated in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) pati ents. During a basal period, plasma free fatty acids (FFA) and triglyc erides. postabsorptive glycemia and insulinemia, and glucose turnover and metabolic clearance rates (MCRs) were measured in 10 NIDDM patient s. After the basal measurement, five patients received a lipid infusio n, and the others received saline. Lipid infusion prevented the decrea se in postabsorptive glycemia observed in the saline group (P < .01). The principal mechanism for this effect was a reduction in glucose MCR (30.8 +/- 5.7 v 47.2 +/- 3.4 mL/m(2)/min, P < .05), which was absent in control tests (50.4 +/- 8.1 v 47.9 +/- 4.7 mL/m(2)/min, NS). The ab sence of the compensatory insulin release observed in normal subjects may play a role in this response. The prolonged postabsorptive hypergl ycemia induced by lipid infusion in NIDDM patients is further evidence for the detrimental effect of the lipid-carbohydrate interactions des cribed by Randle. Copyright (C) 1994 by W.B. Saunders Company