Modelling and assessment of glucose-lactate kinetics in youth with overweight, obesity and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease: A pilot study.

AIM: In this study, we investigated glucose and lactate kinetics during a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in 23 overweight and obese adolescents and assessed putative differences among participants with and without metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). METHODS: We enrolled 23 young people (six girls) with obesity [body mass index 33 (29-37)]. Glucose-lactate kinetics parameters (disposal glucose insulin sensitivity, SID; fraction of glucose converted into lactate, fr; fractional lactate clearance rate, kL) and lactate production rate (LPR) were estimated using the oral glucose-lactate minimal model. MASLD presence was assessed using the proton density fat fraction. We analysed glucose, lactate and LPR time to peak, peak values and area under the curve and evaluated differences using the Wilcoxon test. MASLD and no-MASLD participants were compared using the Mann-Whitney test. Correlations between parameters were assessed using the Spearman correlation coefficient (ρ). We also tested the performance of two (4 or 3 h OGTT) protocols in estimating oral glucose-lactate minimal model and LPR parameters. RESULTS: Glucose peaks 30 min earlier than lactate (p = .0019). This pattern was present in the no-MASLD group (p < .001). LPR peaks 30 min later in the MASLD group (p = .02). LPR and kL were higher in MASLD, suggesting higher glycolysis and lactate utilization. SID and fr correlate significantly (ρ = -0.55, p = .008). SID and fr were also correlated with the body mass index, (ρ = -0.45, p = .04; and ρ = 0.45; p = .03). The protocol duration did not influence the estimates of the parameters. DISCUSSION: Youth with MASLD showed a delayed glucose metabolism, possibly because of greater utilization of the underlying substrates. A 3-h OGTT may be used to assess lactate metabolism effectively.

Counter-regulatory responses to postprandial hypoglycaemia in patients with post-bariatric hypoglycaemia vs surgical and non-surgical control individuals.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Post-bariatric hypoglycaemia is an increasingly recognised complication of bariatric surgery, manifesting particularly after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. While hyperinsulinaemia is an established pathophysiological feature, the role of counter-regulation remains unclear. We aimed to assess counter-regulatory hormones and glucose fluxes during insulin-induced postprandial hypoglycaemia in patients with post-bariatric hypoglycaemia after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass vs surgical and non-surgical control individuals. METHODS: In this case-control study, 32 adults belonging to four groups with comparable age, sex and BMI (patients with post-bariatric hypoglycaemia, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy and non-surgical control individuals) underwent a postprandial hypoglycaemic clamp in our clinical research unit to reach the glycaemic target of 2.5 mmol/l 150-170 min after ingesting 15 g of glucose. Glucose fluxes were assessed during the postprandial and hypoglycaemic period using a dual-tracer approach. The primary outcome was the incremental AUC of glucagon during hypoglycaemia. Catecholamines, cortisol, growth hormone, pancreatic polypeptide and endogenous glucose production were also analysed during hypoglycaemia. RESULTS: The rate of glucose appearance after oral administration, as well as the rates of total glucose appearance and glucose disappearance, were higher in both Roux-en-Y gastric bypass groups vs the non-surgical control group in the early postprandial period (all p<0.05). During hypoglycaemia, glucagon exposure was significantly lower in all surgical groups vs the non-surgical control group (all p<0.01). Pancreatic polypeptide levels were significantly lower in patients with post-bariatric hypoglycaemia vs the non-surgical control group (median [IQR]: 24.7 [10.9, 38.7] pmol/l vs 238.7 [186.3, 288.9] pmol/l) (p=0.005). Other hormonal responses to hypoglycaemia and endogenous glucose production did not significantly differ between the groups. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: The glucagon response to insulin-induced postprandial hypoglycaemia is lower in post-bariatric surgery individuals compared with non-surgical control individuals, irrespective of the surgical modality. No significant differences were found between patients with post-bariatric hypoglycaemia and surgical control individuals, suggesting that impaired counter-regulation is not a root cause of post-bariatric hypoglycaemia. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04334161.

Effects of acute changes in fasting glucose and free fatty acid concentrations on indices of ß-cell function and glucose metabolism in subjects without diabetes.

Elevated fasting free fatty acids (FFAs) and fasting glucose are additively associated with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and decreased ß-cell function [quantified as disposition index (DI)]. We sought to examine how changes in fasting FFA and glucose alter islet function. We studied 10 subjects with normal fasting glucose (NFG) and normal glucose tolerance (NGT) on two occasions. On one occasion, Intralipid and glucose were infused overnight to mimic conditions present in IFG/IGT. In addition, we studied seven subjects with IFG/IGT on two occasions. On one occasion, insulin was infused to lower overnight FFA and glucose concentrations to those observed in people with NFG/NGT. The following morning, a labeled mixed meal was used to measure postprandial glucose metabolism and ß-cell function. Elevation of overnight fasting FFA and glucose in NFG/NGT did not alter peak or integrated glucose concentrations (2.0 ± 0.1 vs. 2.0 ± 0.1 Mol per 5 h, Saline vs. Intralipid/glucose, P = 0.55). Although overall ß-cell function quantified by the Disposition Index was unchanged, the dynamic component of ß-cell responsivity (ϕd) was decreased by Intralipid and glucose infusion (9 ± 1 vs. 16 ± 3 10-9, P = 0.02). In people with IFG/IGT, insulin did not alter postprandial glucose concentrations or indices of ß-cell function. Endogenous glucose production and glucose disappearance were also unchanged in both groups. We conclude that acute, overnight changes in FFA, and glucose concentrations do not alter islet function or glucose metabolism in prediabetes.NEW & NOTEWORTHY This experiment studied the effect of changes in overnight concentrations of free fatty acids (FFAs) and glucose on ß-cell function and glucose metabolism. In response to elevation of these metabolites, the dynamic component of the ß-cell response to glucose was impaired. This suggests that in health overnight hyperglycemia and FFA elevation can deplete preformed insulin granules in the ß-cell.

Clinical evaluation of a decision support system for glucose infusion in hypoglycaemic clamp experiments.

AIM: To provide a preliminary evaluation of the accuracy and safety of Gluclas decision support system suggestions in a hypoglycaemic clamp study. METHODS: This analysis was performed using data from 32 participants (four groups with different glucose-insulin regulation: post Roux-en-Y gastric bypass with and without postprandial hypoglycaemia syndrome, postsleeve gastrectomy and non-operated controls) undergoing Gluclas-assisted hypoglycaemic clamps (target: 2.5 mmol/L for 20 minutes at 150 minutes after oral glucose ingestion). Gluclas provided glucose infusion rate suggestions upon manual entry of blood glucose values (every 5 minutes), which were either followed or overruled by investigators after critical review. Accuracy and safety were evaluated by mean absolute error (MAE), mean absolute percentage error (MAPE), average glucose level, coefficient of variation (CV) and minimal glucose level during the 20-minute hypoglycaemic period. RESULTS: Investigators accepted 84% of suggestions, with a mean deviation of 30.33 mg/min. During the hypoglycaemic period, the MAE was 0.16 (0.12-0.24) (median [interquartile range]) mmol/L and the MAPE was 6.12% (4.80%-9.29%). CV was 4.90% (3.58%-7.27%), with 5% considered the threshold for sufficient quality. The minimal glucose level was 2.40 (2.30-2.50) mmol/L. CONCLUSIONS: Gluclas achieved sufficiently high accuracy with minimal safety risks in a population with differences in glucose-insulin dynamics, underscoring its applicability to various patient groups.

Exercise effect on insulin-dependent and insulin-independent glucose utilization in healthy individuals and individuals with type 1 diabetes: a modeling study.

Exercise effects (EE) on whole body glucose rate of disappearance (Rd) occur through insulin-independent (IIRd) and insulin-dependent (IDRd) mechanisms. Quantifying these processes in vivo would allow a better understanding of the physiology of glucose regulation. This is of particular importance in individuals with type 1 diabetes (T1D) since such a knowledge may help to improve glucose management. However, such a model is still lacking. Here, we analyzed data from six T1D and six nondiabetic (ND) subjects undergoing a labeled glucose clamp study during, before, and after a 60-min exercise session at 65% V̇o2max on three randomized visits: euglycemia-low insulin, euglycemia-high insulin, and hyperglycemia-low insulin. We tested a set of models, all sharing a single-compartment description of glucose kinetics, but differing in how exercise is assumed to modulate glucose disposal. Model selection was based on parsimony criteria. The best model assumed an exercise-induced immediate effect on IIRd and a delayed effect on IDRd. It predicted that exercise increases IIRd, compared with rest, by 66%-82% and 67%-97% in T1D and ND, respectively, not significantly different between the two groups. Conversely, the exercise effect on IDRd ranged between 81% and 155% in T1D and it was significantly higher than ND, which ranged between 10% and 40%. The exaggerated effect observed in IDRd can explain the higher hypoglycemia risk related to individuals with T1D. This novel exercise model could help in informing safe and effective glucose management during and after exercise in individuals with T1D.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Here, we present a new mathematical model describing the effect of moderate physical activity on insulin-mediated and noninsulin-mediated glucose disposal in subjects with and without diabetes. We believe that this represents a step-forward in the knowledge of type 1 diabetes pathophysiology, and an useful tool to design safe and effective insulin-therapies.

Insulin secretion and action and the response of endogenous glucose production to a lack of glucagon suppression in nondiabetic subjects.

Type 2 diabetes is a disease characterized by impaired insulin secretion and defective glucagon suppression in the postprandial period. We examined the effect of impaired glucagon suppression on glucose concentrations and endogenous glucose production (EGP) at different degrees of insulin secretory impairment. The contribution of anthropometric characteristics, peripheral, and hepatic insulin action to this variability was also examined. To do so, we studied 54 nondiabetic subjects on two occasions in which endogenous hormone secretion was inhibited by somatostatin, with glucagon infused at a rate of 0.65 ng/kg/min, at 0 min to prevent a fall in glucagon (nonsuppressed day) or at 120 min to create a transient fall in glucagon (suppressed day). Subjects received glucose (labeled with [3-3H]-glucose) infused to mimic the systemic appearance of 50-g oral glucose. Insulin was infused to mimic a prandial insulin response in 18 subjects, another 18 received 80% of the dose, and the remaining 18 received 60%. EGP was measured using the tracer-dilution technique. Decreased prandial insulin resulted in greater % increase in peak glucose but not in integrated glucose concentrations attributable to nonsuppressed glucagon. The % change in integrated EGP was unaffected by insulin dose. Multivariate regression analysis, adjusted for age, sex, weight, and insulin dose, did not show a relationship between the EGP response to impaired suppression of glucagon and insulin action as measured at the time of screening by oral glucose tolerance. A similar analysis for hepatic insulin action also did not show a relationship with the EGP response. These data indicate that the effect of impaired glucagon suppression on EGP is independent of anthropometric characteristics and insulin action.NEW & NOTEWORTHY In prediabetes, anthropometric characteristics as well as insulin action do not alter the hepatic response to glucagon. The postprandial suppression or lack of suppression of glucagon secretion is an important factor governing postprandial glucose tolerance independent of insulin secretion.

Assessment of individual and standardized glucagon kinetics in healthy humans.

Impaired glucose tolerance arises out of impaired postprandial insulin secretion and delayed suppression of glucagon. These defects occur early and independently in the pathogenesis of prediabetes. Quantification of the contribution of α-cell dysfunction to glucose tolerance has been lacking because knowledge of glucagon kinetics in humans is limited. Therefore, in a series of experiments examining the interaction of glucagon suppression with insulin secretion we studied 51 nondiabetic subjects (age = 54 ± 13 yr, BMI = 28 ± 4 kg/m2). Glucose was infused to mimic the systemic appearance of an oral challenge. Somatostatin was used to inhibit endogenous hormone secretion. 120 min after the start of the experiment, glucagon was infused at 0.65 ng/kg/min. The rise in glucagon concentrations was used to estimate its kinetic parameters [volume of distribution (Vd), half-life (t1/2), and clearance rate (CL)]. A single-exponential model provided the best fit for the data, and individualized kinetic parameters were estimated: Vd = 8.2 ± 2.7 L, t1/2 = 4 ± 1.1 min, CL = 1.4 ± 0.33 L/min. Stepwise linear regression was used to correlate Vd with BMI and sex (R2adj = 0.44), whereas CL similarly correlated with lean body mass or BSA (both R2 = 0.28). This enabled the development of a population-based model using anthropometric characteristics to predict Vd and CL. These data demonstrate that it is feasible to derive glucagon kinetic parameters from anthropometric characteristics, thereby enabling quantitation of the rate of glucagon appearance in the systemic circulation in large populations.NEW & NOTEWORTHY State-of-the-art measurement of insulin secretion in humans is accomplished by deconvolution of peripheral C-peptide concentrations using population-derived parameters of C-peptide kinetics. In contrast, knowledge of the kinetic parameters of glucagon in humans is lacking so that measurement of glucagon secretion to date is largely qualitative. This series of experiments enabled measurement of glucagon kinetics in 51 subjects, and subsequently, stepwise linear regression was used to correlate these parameters with anthropometric characteristics. This enabled the development of a population-based model using anthropometric characteristics to predict the volume of distribution and the rate of clearance. This is a necessary first step in the development of a model to quantitate of glucagon secretion and action (and its contribution to glucose tolerance) in large populations.

Adipose tissue macrophage populations and inflammation are associated with systemic inflammation and insulin resistance in obesity.

Obesity is accompanied by numerous systemic and tissue-specific derangements, including systemic inflammation, insulin resistance, and mitochondrial abnormalities in skeletal muscle. Despite growing recognition that adipose tissue dysfunction plays a role in obesity-related disorders, the relationship between adipose tissue inflammation and other pathological features of obesity is not well-understood. We assessed macrophage populations and measured the expression of inflammatory cytokines in abdominal adipose tissue biopsies in 39 nondiabetic adults across a range of body mass indexes (BMI 20.5-45.8 kg/m2). Skeletal muscle biopsies were used to evaluate mitochondrial respiratory capacity, ATP production capacity, coupling, and reactive oxygen species production. Insulin sensitivity (SI) and ß cell responsivity were determined from test meal postprandial glucose, insulin, c-peptide, and triglyceride kinetics. We examined the relationships between adipose tissue inflammatory markers, systemic inflammatory markers, SI, and skeletal muscle mitochondrial physiology. BMI was associated with increased adipose tissue and systemic inflammation, reduced SI, and reduced skeletal muscle mitochondrial oxidative capacity. Adipose-resident macrophage numbers were positively associated with circulating inflammatory markers, including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα) and C-reactive protein (CRP). Local adipose tissue inflammation and circulating concentrations of TNFα and CRP were negatively associated with SI, and circulating concentrations of TNFα and CRP were also negatively associated with skeletal muscle oxidative capacity. These results demonstrate that obese humans exhibit increased adipose tissue inflammation concurrently with increased systemic inflammation, reduced insulin sensitivity, and reduced muscle oxidative capacity and suggest that adipose tissue and systemic inflammation may drive obesity-associated metabolic derangements.NEW AND NOTEWORTHY Adipose inflammation is proposed to be at the nexus of the systemic inflammation and metabolic derangements associated with obesity. The present study provides evidence to support adipose inflammation as a central feature of the pathophysiology of obesity. Adipose inflammation is associated with systemic and peripheral metabolic derangements, including increased systemic inflammation, reduced insulin sensitivity, and reduced skeletal muscle mitochondrial respiration.

Limitations of the fasting proinsulin to insulin ratio as a measure of ß-cell health in people with and without impaired glucose tolerance.

BACKGROUND: The fasting proinsulin to insulin ratio is elevated in people with type 2 diabetes and has been suggested as a marker of ß-cell health. However, its utility in discriminating between individuals with varying degrees of ß-cell dysfunction is unclear. Proinsulin has a very different half-life to insulin and unlike insulin does not undergo hepatic extraction prior to reaching the systemic circulation. Given these limitations, we sought to examine the relationship between fasting and postprandial concentrations of ß-cell polypeptides (proinsulin, insulin and C-peptide) in people with normal and impaired glucose tolerance in differing metabolic environments. DESIGN: Subjects were studied on two occasions in random order while undergoing an oral challenge. During one study day, free fatty acids were elevated (to induce insulin resistance) by infusion of Intralipid with heparin. Proinsulin to insulin and proinsulin to C-peptide ratios were calculated for the 0-, 30-, 60- and 240-minute time points. Insulin action (Si) and ß-cell responsivity (Φ) indices were calculated using the oral minimal model. RESULTS: The fasting proinsulin to c-peptide or fasting proinsulin to insulin ratios did not differ between groups and did not predict subsequent ß-cell responsivity to glucose during the glycerol or Intralipid study days in either group. CONCLUSIONS: Among nondiabetic individuals, the fasting proinsulin to insulin ratio is not a useful marker of ß-cell function.

Improved postprandial glucose metabolism in type 2 diabetes by the dual glucagon-like peptide-1/glucagon receptor agonist SAR425899 in comparison with liraglutide.

AIM: To gain further insights into the efficacy of SAR425899, a dual glucagon-like peptide-1/glucagon receptor agonist, by providing direct comparison with the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist, liraglutide, in terms of key outcomes of glucose metabolism. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Seventy overweight to obese subjects with type 2 diabetes (T2D) were randomized to receive once-daily subcutaneous administrations of SAR425899 (0.12, 0.16 or 0.20 mg), liraglutide (1.80 mg) or placebo for 26 weeks. Mixed meal tolerance tests were conducted at baseline (BSL) and at the end of treatment (EOT). Metabolic indices of insulin action and secretion were assessed via Homeostasis Model Assessment (HOMA2) and oral minimal model (OMM) methods. RESULTS: From BSL to EOT (median [25th, 75th] percentile), HOMA2 quantified a significant improvement in basal insulin action in liraglutide (35% [21%, 74%]), while secretion enhanced both in SAR425899 (125% [63%, 228%]) and liraglutide (73% [43%, 147%]). OMM quantified, both in SAR425899 and liraglutide, a significant improvement in insulin sensitivity (203% [58%, 440%] and 36% [21%, 197%]), basal beta-cell responsiveness (67% [34%, 112%] and 40% [16%, 59%]), and above-basal beta-cell responsiveness (139% [64%, 261%] and 69% [-15%, 120%]). A significant delay in glucose absorption was highlighted in SAR425899 (37% [52%,18%]). CONCLUSIONS: SAR425899 and liraglutide improved postprandial glucose control in overweight to obese subjects with T2D. A significantly higher enhancement in beta-cell function was shown by SAR425899 than liraglutide.

Impaired insulin signaling in unaffected siblings and patients with first-episode psychosis.

Patients with psychotic disorders are at high risk for type 2 diabetes mellitus, and there is increasing evidence that patients display glucose metabolism abnormalities before significant antipsychotic medication exposure. In the present study, we examined insulin action by quantifying insulin sensitivity in first-episode psychosis (FEP) patients and unaffected siblings, compared to healthy individuals, using a physiological-based model and comprehensive assessment battery. Twenty-two unaffected siblings, 18 FEP patients, and 15 healthy unrelated controls were evaluated using a 2-h oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), with 7 samples of plasma glucose and serum insulin concentration measurements. Insulin sensitivity was quantified using the oral minimal model method. Lipid, leptin, free fatty acids, and inflammatory marker levels were also measured. Anthropometric, nutrient, and activity assessments were conducted; total body composition and fat distribution were determined using whole-body dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Insulin sensitivity significantly differed among groups (F = 6.01 and 0.004), with patients and siblings showing lower insulin sensitivity, compared to controls (P = 0.006 and 0.002, respectively). Body mass index, visceral adipose tissue area (cm2), lipids, leptin, free fatty acids, inflammatory markers, and activity ratings were not significantly different among groups. There was a significant difference in nutrient intake with lower total kilocalories/kilogram body weight in patients, compared to siblings and controls. Overall, the findings suggest that familial abnormal glucose metabolism or a primary insulin signaling pathway abnormality is related to risk for psychosis, independent of disease expression and treatment effects. Future studies should examine underlying biological mechanisms of insulin signaling abnormalities in psychotic disorders.

Dual glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor/glucagon receptor agonist SAR425899 improves beta-cell function in type 2 diabetes.

AIM: To evaluate the change in insulin sensitivity, ß-cell function and glucose absorption after 28 days of treatment with high and low doses of SAR425899, a novel dual glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor/glucagon receptor agonist, versus placebo. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-six overweight to obese subjects with type 2 diabetes were randomized to receive daily subcutaneous administrations of low-dose SAR425899 (0.03, 0.06 and 0.09 mg) and high-dose SAR425899 (0.06, 0.12 and 0.18 mg) or placebo for 28 days; dose escalation occurred after days 7 and 14. Mixed meal tolerance tests were conducted before treatment (day -1) and on days 1 and 28. Oral glucose and C-peptide minimal models were used to quantify metabolic indices of insulin sensitivity, ß-cell responsiveness and glucose absorption. RESULTS: With low-dose SAR425899, high-dose SAR425899 and placebo, ß-cell function from day -1 to day 28 increased by 163%, 95% and 23%, respectively. The change in area under the curve for the rate of meal glucose appearance between 0 and 120 minutes was -32%, -20% and 8%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: After 28 days of treatment, SAR425899 improved postprandial glucose control by significantly enhancing ß-cell function and slowing glucose absorption rate.

Mechanisms of hyperinsulinaemia in apparently healthy non-obese young adults: role of insulin secretion, clearance and action and associations with plasma amino acids.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: This study aimed to examine the metabolic health of young apparently healthy non-obese adults to better understand mechanisms of hyperinsulinaemia. METHODS: Non-obese (BMI < 30 kg/m2) adults aged 18-35 years (N = 254) underwent a stable isotope-labelled OGTT. Insulin sensitivity, glucose effectiveness and beta cell function were determined using oral minimal models. Individuals were stratified into quartiles based on their insulin response during the OGTT, with quartile 1 having the lowest and quartile 4 the highest responses. RESULTS: Thirteen per cent of individuals had impaired fasting glucose (IFG; n = 14) or impaired glucose tolerance (IGT; n = 19), allowing comparisons across the continuum of insulin responses within the spectrum of normoglycaemia and prediabetes. BMI (~24 kg/m2) was similar across insulin quartiles and in those with IFG and IGT. Despite similar glycaemic excursions, fasting insulin, triacylglycerols and cholesterol were elevated in quartile 4. Insulin sensitivity was lowest in quartile 4, and accompanied by increased insulin secretion and reduced insulin clearance. Individuals with IFG had similar insulin sensitivity and beta cell function to those in quartiles 2 and 3, but were more insulin sensitive than individuals in quartile 4. While individuals with IGT had a similar degree of insulin resistance to quartile 4, they exhibited a more severe defect in beta cell function. Plasma branched-chain amino acids were not elevated in quartile 4, IFG or IGT. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: Hyperinsulinaemia within normoglycaemic young, non-obese adults manifests due to increased insulin secretion and reduced insulin clearance. Individual phenotypic characterisation revealed that the most hyperinsulinaemic were more similar to individuals with IGT than IFG, suggesting that hyperinsulinaemic individuals may be on the continuum toward IGT. Furthermore, plasma branched-chain amino acids may not be an effective biomarker in identifying hyperinsulinaemia and insulin resistance in young non-obese adults.

Assessment of pulsatile insulin secretion derived from peripheral plasma C-peptide concentrations by nonparametric stochastic deconvolution.

The characteristics of pulsatile insulin secretion are important determinants of type 2 diabetes pathophysiology, but they are understudied due to the difficulties in measuring pulsatile insulin secretion noninvasively. Deconvolution of either peripheral C-peptide or insulin concentrations offers an appealing alternative to hepatic vein catheterization. However, to do so, there are a series of methodological challenges to overcome. C-peptide has a relatively long half-life and accumulates in the circulation. On the other hand, peripheral insulin concentrations reflect relatively fast clearance and hepatic extraction as it leaves the portal circulation to enter the systemic circulation. We propose a method based on nonparametric stochastic deconvolution of C-peptide concentrations, using individually determined C-peptide kinetics, to overcome these limitations. The use of C-peptide (instead of insulin) concentrations allows estimation of portal (and not post-hepatic) insulin pulses, whereas nonparametric stochastic deconvolution allows evaluation of pulsatile signals without any a priori assumptions of pulse shape and occurrence. The only assumption required is the degree of smoothness of the (unknown) secretion rate. We tested this method first on simulated data and then on 29 nondiabetic subjects studied during euglycemia and hyperglycemia and compared our estimates with the profiles obtained from hepatic vein insulin concentrations. This method produced satisfactory results both in the ability to fit the data and in providing reliable estimates of pulsatile secretion, in agreement with hepatic vein measurements. In conclusion, the proposed method enables reliable and noninvasive measurement of pulsatile insulin secretion. Future studies will be needed to validate this method in people with type 2 diabetes.

Intranasal oxytocin fails to acutely improve glucose metabolism in obese men.

The hypothalamic neuropeptide oxytocin not only modulates psychosocial function, but also contributes to metabolic regulation. We have recently shown that intranasal oxytocin acutely improves beta-cell responsivity and glucose tolerance in normal-weight men. In the present experiment, we investigated the acute glucoregulatory impact of oxytocin in obese men with impaired insulin sensitivity. Fifteen obese healthy men with an average body mass index of 35 kg/m2 and an average body fat content of 33% received a single intranasal dose (24 IU) of oxytocin before undergoing an oral glucose tolerance test. Results were analysed according to the oral minimal model and compared with our findings in normal-weight participants. In contrast to the results in normal-weight subjects, oxytocin did not blunt postprandial glucose and insulin excursions in obese men, and moreover failed to enhance beta-cell responsivity and glucose tolerance. These results indicate that pronounced obesity may be associated with a certain degree of resistance to the glucoregulatory impact of exogenous oxytocin, and underlines the need for further investigations into the potential of oxytocin to improve glucose homeostasis in the clinical context.

Prospective evaluation of insulin and incretin dynamics in obese adults with and without diabetes for 2 years after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: In this prospective case-control study we tested the hypothesis that, while long-term improvements in insulin sensitivity (SI) accompanying weight loss after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) would be similar in obese individuals with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus, stimulated-islet-cell insulin responses would differ, increasing (recovering) in those with diabetes but decreasing in those without. We investigated whether these changes would occur in conjunction with favourable alterations in meal-related gut hormone secretion and insulin processing. METHODS: Forty participants with type 2 diabetes and 22 participants without diabetes from the Longitudinal Assessment of Bariatric Surgery (LABS-2) study were enrolled in a separate, longitudinal cohort (LABS-3 Diabetes) to examine the mechanisms of postsurgical diabetes improvement. Study procedures included measures of SI, islet secretory response and gastrointestinal hormone secretion after both intravenous glucose (frequently-sampled IVGTT [FSIVGTT]) and a mixed meal (MM) prior to and up to 24 months after RYGB. RESULTS: Postoperatively, weight loss and SI-FSIVGTT improvement was similar in both groups, whereas the acute insulin response to glucose (AIRglu) decreased in the non-diabetic participants and increased in the participants with type 2 diabetes. The resulting disposition indices (DIFSIVGTT) increased by three- to ninefold in both groups. In contrast, during the MM, total insulin responsiveness did not significantly change in either group despite durable increases of up to eightfold in postprandial glucagon-like peptide 1 levels, and SI-MM and DIMM increased only in the diabetes group. Peak postprandial glucagon levels increased in both groups. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: For up to 2 years following RYGB, obese participants without diabetes showed improvements in DI that approach population norms. Those with type 2 diabetes recovered islet-cell insulin secretion response yet continued to manifest abnormal insulin processing, with DI values that remained well below population norms. These data suggest that, rather than waiting for lifestyle or medical failure, RYGB is ideally considered before, or as soon as possible after, onset of type 2 diabetes. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00433810.

Differential effects of the circadian system and circadian misalignment on insulin sensitivity and insulin secretion in humans.

Glucose tolerance is lower at night and higher in the morning. Shift workers, who often eat at night and experience circadian misalignment (i.e. misalignment between the central circadian pacemaker and the environmental/behavioural cycles), have an increased risk of type 2 diabetes. To determine the separate and relative impacts of the circadian system, behavioural/environmental cycles, and their interaction (i.e. circadian misalignment) on insulin sensitivity and ß-cell function, the oral minimal model was used to quantitatively assess the major determinants of glucose control in 14 healthy adults using a randomized, cross-over design with two 8-day laboratory protocols. Both protocols involved 3 baseline inpatient days with habitual sleep/wake cycles, followed by 4 inpatient days with the same nocturnal bedtime (circadian alignment) or with 12-hour inverted behavioural/environmental cycles (circadian misalignment). The data showed that circadian phase and circadian misalignment affect glucose tolerance through different mechanisms. While the circadian system reduces glucose tolerance in the biological evening compared to the biological morning mainly by decreasing both dynamic and static ß-cell responsivity, circadian misalignment reduced glucose tolerance mainly by lowering insulin sensitivity, not by affecting ß-cell function.

Performance of individually measured vs population-based C-peptide kinetics to assess ß-cell function in the presence and absence of acute insulin resistance.

AIMS: To compare the performance of population-based kinetics with that of directly measured C-peptide kinetics when used to calculate ß-cell responsivity indices, and to study people with and without acute insulin resistance to ensure that population-based kinetics apply to all conditions where ß-cell function is measured. METHODS: Somatostatin was used to inhibit endogenous insulin secretion in 56 people without diabetes. Subsequently, a C-peptide bolus was administered and the changing concentrations were used to calculate individual kinetic measures of C-peptide clearance. In addition, the participants were studied on 2 occasions in random order using an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). On one occasion, free fatty acid elevation, to cause insulin resistance, was achieved by infusion of Intralipid + heparin. The Disposition Index (DI) was then estimated by the oral minimal model using either population-based or individual C-peptide kinetics. RESULTS: There were marked differences in the exchange variables (k 12 and k 21 ) of the model describing C-peptide kinetics, but smaller differences in the fractional clearance; that is, the irreversible loss from the accessible compartment (k 01 ), obtained from population-based estimates compared with experimental measurement. Because it is predominantly influenced by k 01 , DI estimated using individual kinetics correlated well with DI estimated using population-based kinetics. CONCLUSIONS: These data support the use of population-based measures of C-peptide kinetics to estimate ß-cell function during an OGTT.

Glucose metabolism during rotational shift-work in healthcare workers.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Shift-work is associated with circadian rhythm disruption and an increased risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes. We sought to determine the effect of rotational shift-work on glucose metabolism in humans. METHODS: We studied 12 otherwise healthy nurses performing rotational shift-work using a randomised crossover study design. On each occasion, participants underwent an isotope-labelled mixed meal test during a simulated day shift and a simulated night shift, enabling simultaneous measurement of glucose flux and beta cell function using the oral minimal model. We sought to determine differences in fasting and postprandial glucose metabolism during the day shift vs the night shift. RESULTS: Postprandial glycaemic excursion was higher during the night shift (381±33 vs 580±48 mmol/l per 5 h, p<0.01). The time to peak insulin and C-peptide and nadir glucagon suppression in response to meal ingestion was also delayed during the night shift. While insulin action did not differ between study days, the beta cell responsivity to glucose (59±5 vs 44±4 × 10-9 min-1; p<0.001) and disposition index were decreased during the night shift. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: Impaired beta cell function during the night shift may result from normal circadian variation, the effect of rotational shift-work or a combination of both. As a consequence, higher postprandial glucose concentrations are observed during the night shift.

Liver triacylglycerol content and gestational diabetes: effects of moderate energy restriction.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Women with a history of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) have raised liver triacylglycerol. Restriction of energy intake in type 2 diabetes can normalise glucose control and liver triacylglycerol concentration but it is not known whether similar benefits could be achieved in GDM. The aim of this work was to examine liver triacylglycerol accumulation in women with GDM and the effect of modest energy restriction. METHODS: Sixteen women with GDM followed a 4 week diet (5 MJ [1200 kcal]/day). Liver triacylglycerol, before and after diet and postpartum, was measured by magnetic resonance. Insulin secretion and sensitivity were assessed before and after diet. Twenty-six women who underwent standard antenatal care for GDM (matched for age, BMI, parity and ethnicity) were used as a comparator group. RESULTS: Fourteen women, who completed the study, achieved a weight loss of 1.6 ± 1.7 kg over the 4 week dietary period. Mean weight change was -0.4 kg/week in the study group vs +0.3 kg/week in the comparator group (p = 0.002). Liver triacylglycerol level was normal but decreased following diet (3.7% [interquartile range, IQR 1.2-6.1%] vs 1.8% [IQR 0.7-3.1%], p = 0.004). There was no change in insulin sensitivity or production. Insulin was required in six comparator women vs none in the study group (eight vs two required metformin). Blood glucose control was similar for both groups. The hypo-energetic diet was well accepted. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: Liver triacylglycerol in women with GDM was not elevated, unlike observations in non-pregnant women with a history of GDM. A 4 week hypo-energetic diet resulted in weight loss, reduced liver triacylglycerol and minimised pharmacotherapy. The underlying pathophysiology of glucose metabolism appeared unchanged.