Change in glucose metabolism after long-term treatment with deflazacort and betamethasone.
We have compared the long-term effects of different corticosteroids on glucose metabolism by carrying out a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test in 27 subjects before and after the administration of deflazacort or betamethasone for two months in random balanced sequence. Fasting plasma glucose and insulin concentrations were significantly higher after betamethasone, whereas deflazacort increased only fasting plasma insulin. After oral glucose there were significant increases in blood glucose and insulin after betamethasone compared with deflazacort. These results suggest that the degree of glucose intolerance and insulin resistance depends on the steroid used and on the dose given, although long-term treatment with deflazacort has a smaller effect on glucose metabolism than betamethasone.
Bruno
A
A
Institute of Internal Medicine, University of Turin.
Pagano
G
G
Benzi
L
L
Di Ciani
G
G
Spallone
V
V
Calabrese
G
G
Passeri
A
A
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001623:Betamethasone / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D005951:Glucose Tolerance Test; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D011282:Pregnenediones / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013997:Time Factors
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D001786:Blood Glucose; D007328:Insulin; D011282:Pregnenediones; D001623:Betamethasone; C021988:deflazacort