Modulation of hepatic glucose production by non-esterified fatty acids in Type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus

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Abstract
To study the effect of changes in plasma non-esterified fatty acid concentration on suppression of hepatic glucose production by insulin eight Type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetic patients participated in three euglycaemic, hyperinsulinaemic (108pmol · m2−1 · min−1) clamp studies combined with indirect calorimetry and infusion of [3-3H]-glucose and [1-14C]palmitate; (1) a control experiment with infusion of NaCl 154 mmol/l, (2) heparin was infused together with insulin, and (3) an antilipolytic agent, Acipimox, was administered at the beginning of the experiment. Six healthy volunteers participated in the control experiment. Plasma non-esterified fatty acid concentrations during the insulin clamp were in diabetic patients: (1) 151±36 μmol/1, (2) 949±178 μmol/l, and (3) 65±9 μmol/l; in healthy control subjects 93±13 μmol/l. Non-esterified fatty acid transport rate, oxidation and non-oxidative metabolism were significantly higher during the heparin than during the Acipimox experiment (ppp<0.001 vs 154 mmol/l NaCl experiment). We conclude that insulin-mediated suppression of hepatic glucose production is not affected by increased non-esterified fatty acid availability. In contrast, decreased non-esterified fatty acid availability enhances the suppression of hepatic glucose production by insulin.