Insulin action and secretion in healthy Hispanic-Mexican first-degree relatives of subjects with Type 2 diabetes

The aim of this study was to assess the early insulin secretion and insulin action of healthy non-diabetic Hispanic-Mexican subjects with and without family history of Type 2 diabetes (FHD). One hundred and twenty non-relativ e subjects were compared against 115 first-degree relatives of individuals with Type 2 diabetes. To assign the subjects to the correspondent group, th e FHD was carefully ascertained by clinical examination of the participants ' parents. Age and gender were matched criteria. Incomplete or unclear data about FHD, previous diagnosis of diabetes or chronic diseases were exclusi on criteria. Subjects in both groups were required to have fasting glucose <6.1 mmol/l, and 2-h PG<7.7 mmol/l. Insulin action and secretion were estim ated by HOMA (homeostasis model insulin analysis resistance index) and insu linogenic index, respectively. Logistic regression analysis showed an indep endent relationship between BMI and insulin resistance (HOMA score >5.0) (o dds ratio, OR, 1.42, p=0.03), and between FHD and insulin resistance (OR 1. 27, p=0.04). On the other hand, there was a strong and independent relation ship between FHD and high early insulin secretion (insulinogenic index grea ter than or equal to0.72) (OR 1.64, p=0.01) but not between BMI and high ea rly insulin secretion (OR 0.93, p=0.3). Healthy Mexican first-degree relati ves of subjects with Type 2 diabetes show an independent relationship betwe en FHD and both high early insulin response and decreased insulin action, w hereas BMI was only related to insulin resistance. (J. Endocrinol. Invest. 24: 580-586, 2001) (C) 2001, Editrice Kurtis.