Glucose tolerance, plasma insulin, growth hormone, and free fatty acids in hepatic schistosomiasis

ABSTRACT

The purpose of the present study was to examine glucose tolerance in hepatic schitosomiasis together with some factors which may affect this tolerance. In forty-nine patients, the glucose disappearance rate was slower than in controls [1.27 + 0.28 and 1.64 +/- 0.26 per cent per minute, means +/- S.D., respectively]. The exogenous insulin sensitivity tests were normal and the insulin response after intravenous glucose administration was comparable to controls except after 90 minutes when it was significantly higher in hepatic schistosomiasis patients than controls [24.45 +/- 14.6 and 16.44 +/- 7.8 uU/ml. mean +/- S.D., respectively]. The growth hormone response to intravenous insulin administration was also comparable to controls. The plasma free fatty acids [FFA] were significantly higher in schistosomal patients than controls 592 +/- 172 and 209 +/- 97 ueq/1, mean +/- S.D., respectively.]. It is suggested that the glucose intolerance demonstrated in hepatic schitosomiasis might be due to a relative decrease of insulin secretion. Raised plasma FFA may also play a part