Erythrocyte insulin receptor and glucose tolerance test in children treated with prednisolone.
Insulin receptors of erythrocytes and oral glucose tolerance test (O-GTT) were investigated in sixteen children treated with prednisolone for various diseases. Ten patients (Group 1) received low doses of prednisolone (0.2-0.5 mg/kg body weight/day) and six patients (Group 2) received higher doses of prednisolone (1.5-2.0 mg/kg body weight/day). Compared to the values for controls, the sums of blood glucose (sigma BS) at O-GTT in both group 1 and group 2 patients were significantly elevated. (422 +/- 75 mg/dl, p less than 0.01 Group 1; 419 +/- 39 mg/dl, p less than 0.01 Group 2; 338 +/- 41 mg/dl controls) Significant differences were not observed in the sums of insulin concentration at O-GTT, fasting blood concentration and basal insulin levels among these two groups and the controls. There was a significant increase in the maximum insulin binding in group 2 (9.13 +/- 0.68% in group 2, 7.97 +/- 1.06% in controls, p less than 0.05), but not in group 1 (8.59 +/- 1.82%). There is no significant difference in binding affinity or the number of receptors between any of these two patients' groups and the controls. When patients in group 1 and group 2 were combined, sigma IRI levels were significantly elevated in the patients (p less than 0.05). These results suggested that prednisolone treatment with a smaller dosage as well as with the higher dosage resulted in a carbohydrate intolerance, the main cause of which is located in a postreceptor step (or steps) of insulin action.
D000293:Adolescent; D001171:Arthritis, Juvenile / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D002648:Child; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005951:Glucose Tolerance Test; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000378:metabolism*; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D009157:Myasthenia Gravis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D009404:Nephrotic Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011972:Receptor, Insulin / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism
D007328:Insulin; D011239:Prednisolone; D011972:Receptor, Insulin