PLASMA-INSULIN CARBOHYDRATE AND FREE FATTY-ACID CHANGES IN NEWLY BORN INFANTS OF DIABETIC AND NON-DIABETIC MOTHERS AFTER LOADING WITH GLUCOSE, FRUCTOSE AND GALACTOSE

  • 1 January 1979
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 28  (2) , 113-121
Abstract
Changes in the concentration of blood glucose, fructose and galactose and their disappearance rate, concentration of plasma insulin, free fatty acids, blood lactate and pyruvate after i.v. glucose, fructose and galactose loads (1 g/kg) were studied in 23 infants of insulin treated diabetic mothers (IDM). The control group consisted of 42 infants of healthy mothers (IHM). The disappearance rate of these monosaccharides was higher in IDM that in IHM (P < 0.01). All monosaccharides enhanced plasma insulin levels, but the plasma insulin concentration varied considerably. The highest insulin response with differences between IDM and IHM occurred after loading with glucose. Fructose was the least effective insulin stimulator which did not increase glucose levels. All monosaccharides decreased free fatty acid levels. Lactate levels and lactate:pyruvate ratio in IHM were increased after fructose loading. Galactose is evidently of some physiological importance for maintaining glucose levels and the islet apparatus of newborns of diabetic mothers is less loaded with galactose than with glucose.