title: Relative contributions of insulin deficiency and insulin resistance in maturity-onset diabetes.
abstract: The effects of raised insulin resistance and decreased beta-cell function on basal plasma glucose and insulin concentrations have been estimated by means of a mathematical model which uses the available data on control of glucose and insulin flux. The model shows that near-normal basal plasma insulin levels could be maintained by means of basal hyperglycaemia when beta-cell function is deficient. The hyperglycaemia does not become pronounced until more than 80% of beta-cell function has been lost. However, when only 5-10% of beta-cell remains, plasma insulin levels fall in spite of hyperglycaemic stimulation. Conversely, raised insulin resistance in the absence of decreased beta-cell function induces only a small rise in basal plasma glucose concentrations, which stimulates a compensatory increase in basal plasma insulin concentrations from a normal beta-cell capacity. However, if the beta-cell dysfunction is sufficient to induce a basal plasma glucose concentration of 5-6 mmol/l, a slight rise in insulin resistance causes pronounced basal hyperglycaemia.
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000378:metabolism; D000328:Adult; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000378:metabolism; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood / Q000172:deficiency*; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D007515:Islets of Langerhans / Q000503:physiopathology; D008954:Models, Biological; D009132:Muscles / Q000378:metabolism; D009765:Obesity
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D007328:Insulin