Metformin Alone Or Combined With Insulin Does Not Improve Or Preserve Beta-cell Function...

Orlando, Florida
June 25, 2018

Restoring Insulin Secretion (RISE) Pediatric Medication Study shows that youth have markedly reduced insulinsensitivity and respond differently to medications

According to recent research, the insulin resistance and pancreatic beta-cell (β-cell) dysfunction associated with type 2 diabetes (T2D) was unresponsive to treatment with metformin alone or metformin combined with insulin glargine in youth with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), which is an element of prediabetes, or early T2D. Additionally, youth with IGT and T2D, compared to adults, are more insulin resistant, and thus their insulin is less effective in lowering blood glucose levels in their bodies. These findings from the Restoring Insulin Secretion (RISE) program’s Pediatric Medication Study were presented today at the American Diabetes Association’s® (ADA’s) 78th Scientific Sessions® at the Orange County Convention Center.

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In the article, “Metabolic Contrasts Between Youth and Adults with Impaired Glucose Tolerance or Recently Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes: II. Observations Using the Oral Glucose Tolerance Test,” the RISE Consortium performed a 3-hour OGTT. During the OGTT, participants had a baseline, fasting blood draw and then consumed a beverage containing glucose. Blood draws were then conducted at multiple time points over three hours to measure blood glucose and insulin concentrations. The results from the OGTT showed that the balance between insulin sensitivity and β-cell responses differs between youth and adults with IGT or recently diagnosed T2D. The findings are compatible with those observed with the hyperglycemic clamp and suggest that youth with every meal are having to release larger amounts of insulin to try and regulate their glucose metabolism.

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