Glucose Tolerance, Plasma Insulin, and Free Fatty Acids in Elderly Subjects

Abstract

The mechanism of the impaired glucose tolerance frequently observed in elderly persons was explored. Plasma concentrations of glucose, insulin and free fatty acids were measured before and after glucose loading in 18 healthy subjects aged 67 years and over. Glucose tolerance was abnormal by conventional criteria in 13 of the 18 subjects. Higher mean fasting free fatty acid levels and a greater mean plasma insulin response to glucose ingestion was found in the group with abnormal glucose tolerance as compared to the group with a normal glucose tolerance test. These findings are similar to those associated with typical maturity-onset diabetes. Nevertheless the impaired glucose tolerance associated with senescence probably differs etiologically from true hereditary diabetes mellitus.