Plasma insulin; insulin resistance and glucose intolerance in children with bilharzial hepatic fibrosis.
An intravenous glucose tolerance test was carried out in 20 children with advanced bilharzial hepatic fibrosis (B.H.F.) and in 10 healthy controls of the same age. Impaired glucose tolerance was demonstrated in bilharzial patients by the presence of a low glucose disappearance rate. There was no difference between the fasting blood sugar and plasma free fatty acid (F.F.A.) levels in bilharzial and healthy children. The plasma insulin levels of bilharzial patients in the fasting state and 60 minutes after glucose infusion were higher than in healthy children. The calculated insulin/glucose ratio after glucose infusion was similar in bilharzial and healthy children. These observations suggest delayed hepatic degradation of insulin and the presence of insulin resistance in children with B.H.F. They are also suggestive of the presence of decreased islet cell reserve in these patients.
D000293:Adolescent; D000941:Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis*; D002648:Child; D005230:Fatty Acids, Nonesterified / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005951:Glucose Tolerance Test; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D012552:Schistosomiasis / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications
D000941:Antigens; D001786:Blood Glucose; D005230:Fatty Acids, Nonesterified; D007328:Insulin