AGE-RELATED INSULIN RESISTANCE - A REVIEW

Impaired glucose tolerance occurs with age. This impairment is multifa ctorial including a decrease in insulin-mediated glucose uptake by per ipheral tissues and a delay in insulin-induced suppression of hepatic glucose output. A post-binding defect in insulin action such as a redu ced capacity to transcribe more glucose transporter mRNA and/or a redu ced translocation of preformed glucose transporters to plasma membrane is incriminated. However, insulin resistance with age is not a consta nt finding and other mechanism(s) has (have) to be involved in old ind ividuals with impaired glucose tolerance and normal tissue insulin sen sitivity.