Does glucagon play a role in the insulin resistance of patients with adult non-ketotic diabetes?

Summary Using a constant intravenous infusion technique we have measured in vivo insulin resistance in 17 normal subjects, five patients with chemical diabetes, and 13 non-ketotic diabetic patients with fasting hyperglycaemia (FBS>120 mg/ 100 ml). All of the diabetic patients were non-obese. The results demonstrated that the diabetic patients were insulin resistant compared to normals and that the degree of insulin resistance was greater the more severe the diabetes. No differences in plasma glucagon levels were found among the different groups during the infusion studies. These results demonstrate that non-obese, non-ketotic diabetic patients are insulin resistant and that abnormalities in plasma glucagon concentrations do not account for this insulin resistance.Dr. Olefsky is a Clinical Investigator with the Veterans AdministrationDr. Sperling is a recipient of a Research Career Development Award from the U. S. P. H. S., 1K04-HD 00029Dr. Reaven is a Medical Investigator with the Veterans Administration