Insulin secretion and sensitivity in healthy African-American vs American white children.
Racial differences in insulin secretion and insulin sensitivity in healthy children were studied by administering a 2-hour hyperglycemic clamp (225 mg/dL) to 14 black and 16 white healthy adolescents (Tanner II-V), and 12 black and 11 white prepubertal children, matched for age, body mass index, and Tanner I pubertal development. In prepubertal children, fasting and first-phase insulin concentrations were higher in blacks compared with whites (14.7+/-1.3 vs 10.4+/-1.2, P=0.02, and 76.9+/-6.8 vs 52.1+/-6.4 microu/mL, P=0.016). There were no differences in second-phase insulin levels and insulin sensitivity index. In pubertal adolescents, first-phase and second-phase insulin concentrations were higher in blacks compared with whites (first-phase: 157.3+/-18.3 vs 77.0+/-8.7 microu/mL, P=0.0003; second-phase: 175.0+/-24.3 vs 108.7+/-8.8 microu/mL, P=0.012). Insulin sensitivity index was 35% lower in black adolescents compared with whites (P=0.02). These findings indicate that significant differences in insulin secretion and sensitivity are detectable early in childhood in healthy African-American vs American whites. However, genetic (race) vs environmental factors (physical activity/fitness, energy balance) should be carefully scrutinized as potential factors responsible for such differences.
Arslanian
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Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes Mellitus, Children's Hospital, University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine, PA 15213, USA.
D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D044383:Black People; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000378:metabolism*; D000078790:Insulin Secretion; D008297:Male; D011627:Puberty; D044469:Racial Groups; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014481:United States; D044465:White People; D001741:Black or African American
D007328:Insulin