Fasting for 72 h decreases the responses of counterregulatory hormones to insulin-induced hypoglycaemia in normal man.
We have evaluated the influence of fasting on the response of counterregulatory hormones to insulin-induced hypoglycaemia. Eight healthy, non-obese volunteers were studied after an overnight fast and again after a 72-h fast period. Levels of blood glucose were higher after overnight fasting (4.59 +/- 0.10 mmol/l) than after 72 h of fasting (3.38 +/- 0.12 mmol/l). Hypoglycaemia was induced by a constant insulin infusion (2.4 mU/kg/min) and clamped between 2.1 and 2.3 mmol/l of glucose by a variable glucose infusion. Hypoglycaemia evoked stimulation of glucagon release after the overnight fast but did not alter release after 72 h of fasting. The response of other counterregulatory hormones were also influenced by the longer fasting period: the normal rise in adrenaline levels during hypoglycaemia was delayed and attenuated and the normal rise in cortisol levels was absent; paradoxically, cortisol levels decreased during hypoglycaemia. Seventy-two hours of fasting, therefore, profoundly alters hormonal responses to hypoglycaemia.
Adamson
U
U
Department of Internal Medicine, Karolinska Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
Lins
P E
PE
Grill
V
V
D000328:Adult; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D005215:Fasting / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007003:Hypoglycemia / Q000097:blood; D007328:Insulin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D013997:Time Factors
D001786:Blood Glucose; D007328:Insulin