Insulin resistance in hyperglyceridemia

The response of the plasma FFA and the blood glucose to intravenous insulin injection, 0.1 unit/Kg. body weight, was measured in 8 normal persons, 9 obese persons, 12 persons with fasting hyperglycemia, and 19 persons with hyperglyceridemia. The rate of immediate decline in the concentration of blood glucose was correlated with the plasma triglyceride concentration (p < 0.05) and with the fasting plasma cholesterol (p < 0.02). The degree of hypoglycemia was inversely related to the degree of obesity (p < 0.05). The blood glucose response to insulin was significantly delayed and prolonged with advancing age. The blood glucose was higher at 15 minutes and lower at 180 minutes after insulin in older subjects. The resistance to exogenous insulin in hyperglyceridemic, obese and elderly persons is considered further evidence of some common etiologic factor(s) in obesity, diabetes, and atherosclerosis.