RESUMEN
The study of pancreatic beta cell function during an intravenous glucose tolerance test performed on 28 healthy cassava eaters showed 3 types of response: normal insulin secretion in 17 subjects, a significantly elevated peak at 30 min, compared to the control group (6 subjects p less than 0.0125), with preservation of insulin secretion dynamics, and a late peak at 120 min. (5 subjects p less than 0.0125). Among the different factors capable of stimulating insulin secretion, in absence of a significant increase in glycaemia, the hypothesis of cell membrane lesions caused by cyanogenic components has been suggested. The abnormalities observed seem to be in relation with the length of duration of cassava consumption, but neither with plasmatic or urinary levels of thiocyanate, nor with the genetic study.