Objective: To compare insulin sensitivity (M/I) and β-cell responses in youth versus adults with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) or drug-naïve, recently diagnosed type 2 diabetes.
Research design and methods: In 66 youth (80.3% with IGT) and 355 adults (70.7% IGT), hyperglycemic clamps were used to measure 1) M/I, 2) acute (0-10 min [first phase]) C-peptide (ACPRg) and insulin (AIRg) responses to glucose, 3) steady-state C-peptide and insulin concentrations at plasma glucose of 11.1 mmol/L, and 4) arginine-stimulated maximum C-peptide (ACPRmax) and insulin (AIRmax) responses at plasma glucose >25 mmol/L. The fasting C-peptide-to-insulin ratio was used as an estimate of insulin clearance.
Results: Insulin sensitivity was 46% lower in youth compared with adults (P < 0.001), and youth had greater acute and steady-state C-peptide (2.3- and 1.3-fold, respectively; each P < 0.001) and insulin responses to glucose (AIRg 3.0-fold and steady state 2.2-fold; each P < 0.001). Arginine-stimulated C-peptide and insulin responses were also greater in youth (1.6- and 1.7-fold, respectively; each P < 0.001). After adjustment for insulin sensitivity, all β-cell responses remained significantly greater in youth. Insulin clearance was reduced in youth (P < 0.001). Participants with diabetes had greater insulin sensitivity (P = 0.026), with lesser C-peptide and insulin responses than those with IGT (all P < 0.001) but similar insulin clearance (P = 0.109).
Conclusions: In people with IGT or recently diagnosed diabetes, youth have lower insulin sensitivity, hyperresponsive β-cells, and reduced insulin clearance compared with adults. Whether these age-related differences contribute to declining β-cell function and/or impact responses to glucose-lowering interventions remains to be determined.
Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01779362 NCT01779375 NCT01763346.
© 2018 by the American Diabetes Association.