Glucose metabolism in pediatric renal transplant recipients: relation to insulin receptors of erythrocytes.
We studied the oral glucose tolerance test (O-GTT) of 13 kidney transplant recipients and compared the results with the insulin binding characteristics of their own erythrocytes. They had mild renal insufficiency with significant increase of serum creatinine concentrations. Body weights were slightly but significantly elevated compared to the controls. All were receiving small doses of prednisone (0.2-0.3 mg/kg/day). Ten of the 13 patients had normal O-GTT and normal binding of 125I-insulin, while the remaining 3 patients showed abnormal O-GTT and significantly reduced maximum binding of 125I-insulin to erythrocytes. Basal insulin concentration and response to O-GTT were significantly elevated in the patients, regardless of O-GTT being normal or abnormal. It is concluded that transplant recipients have an impaired insulin action due to a post-receptor stage abnormality in glucose metabolism which is due perhaps to mild renal insufficiency, mild obesity and prolonged administration of the small dosage of prednisone.
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D005260:Female; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D005951:Glucose Tolerance Test; D006801:Humans; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D008297:Male; D011972:Receptor, Insulin / Q000378:metabolism*
D011972:Receptor, Insulin; D005947:Glucose