Lack of effects of hypoglycemia on glucose absorption in healthy men.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the effects of hypoglycemia on glucose absorption by examining the systemic appearance of 3-OMG (a glucose analogue that is transported by the same mechanism as glucose) after oral administration.


METHODS
Six healthy males 22-31 yr of age were studied during a hypoglycemic (50 mg [2.7 mM]/100 ml) and a euglycemic (90 mg [5.0 mM]/100 ml) glucose clamp. At 50 min after exposure to insulin, an oral glucose load containing 20 g of glucose and 4.5 g of 3-OMG dissolved in 300 ml of tap water was administered. Insulin administration was interrupted 30 min after oral glucose administration.


RESULTS
Plasma glucose was clamped at 88 +/- 1.3 mg (4.9 +/- 0.1 mM)/100 ml during euglycemia and at 50 +/- 1.9 mg (2.7 +/- 0.1 mM)/100 ml during hypoglycemia. Concentrations of glucagon, growth hormone, cortisol, and epinephrine were significantly elevated during hypoglycemia. After 60 min, circulating 3-OMG concentrations increased to zeniths of 11.4 +/- 0.2 mg (585 +/- 10.0 mM)/100 ml (hypoglycemia) and 11.6 +/- 1.1 mg (585 +/- 56.0 microM)/100 ml (euglycemia; P = 0.95). Absorption of 3-OMG was evident between 15 and 20 min after administrations in both situations. Serum insulin was significantly lower during hypoglycemia compared with the control situation (345 +/- 50 microM [hypoglycemia], 445 +/- 50 microM [euglycemia], P = 0.03).


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that hypoglycemia does not seem to affect intestinal absorption of glucose as judged by systemic appearance of 3-OMG.
Møller
J
J
University Department of Internal Medicine (Endocrinology and Diabetes), Aarhus Kommunehospital, Denmark.
Laker
M F
MF
Gillespie
S M
SM
Ovesen
P G
PG
Abildgaard
N
N
Tian
R
R
Jørgensen
J O
JO
Møller
N
N
D019325:3-O-Methylglucose; D000328:Adult; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D015309:Glucose Clamp Technique; D006801:Humans; D007003:Hypoglycemia / Q000378:metabolism*; D007328:Insulin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007408:Intestinal Absorption; D007700:Kinetics; D008297:Male; D008757:Methylglucosides / Q000097:blood; D012016:Reference Values; D013997:Time Factors
D001786:Blood Glucose; D007328:Insulin; D008757:Methylglucosides; D019325:3-O-Methylglucose; D005947:Glucose