Sulphonylurea therapy doubles B-cell response to glucose in Type 2 diabetic patients

Abstract
The effect of sulphonylurea therapy for 3 weeks on glucose-stimulated insulin secretion and insulin resistance was studied in Type 2 diabetic patients. The fasting plasma insulin and C-peptide concentrations on diet alone were compared with each subject's fasting concentrations on sulphonylurea treatment at a lower fasting plasma glucose and at the original diet-alone glycaemic level obtained by the hyperglycaemic clamp technique. At this isoglycaemic level (mean 11 mmol/l), plasma insulin levels increased from 6.9 mU/l on diet alone to 12.1 mU/l on sulphonylurea treatment (pp−1·mg−1·kg·min on diet alone).