Insulin action in aging man: Evidence for tissue-specific differences at low physiologic insulin levels

G. S. Meneilly, K. L. Minaker, D. Elahi, J. W. Rowe

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42 Scopus citations

Abstract

This study examined the effect of age on insulin action in several tissues. Euglycemic insulin clamp studies were performed on healthy young (n = 7, 20 to 35 years, 10 and 20 mU/m2·min insulin infusions) and old (n = 7, 66 to 80 years, 8 and 16 mU/m2·min insulin infusions) adults. Insulin values were similar during both the lower (young, 24 ± 1.6, old, 24 ± 2.1 μU/ml) and higher (young, 40 ± 3.3; old, 39 ± 3.8 μU/ml) insulin infusion rates. Although suppression of hepatic glucose output (HGO) was more rapid (p < .05) in the elderly group at each dose, HGO was eventually suppressed to similar levels in both age groups (low dose: young, 34.4 ± 10.8, old, 25.3 ± 1.8 mg/m2·min; higher dose: young, 22.8 ± 10.2, old, 6.2 ± 2.1 mg/m2·min). Glucose disposal was less (p < .01) in the aged group at both insulin infusion rates. Suppression of C-peptide was slower in the elderly participants (p < .05) in the low dose study. Suppression of free fatty acid and glucagon levels was the same in each age group. We concluded that the insulin resistance of aging is not generalized to all tissues.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)196-201
Number of pages6
JournalJournals of Gerontology
Volume42
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 1987
Externally publishedYes

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