Hepatic Glucose‐6‐Phosphatase Activity in Non‐Insulin Dependent Diabetics

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The role of glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase) in postreceptional glucose handling in non-insulin-dependent diabetics (NIDD) was investigated by comparing the enzyme values in diagnostic liver biopsy samples with fasting blood glucose (BG), immunoreactive insulin (IRI) and plasma antipyrine half-life (T1/2). The NIDD, treated with sulfonylureas, had elevated serum aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase values associated with fatty liver with or without fibrosis. G6Pase activity was reduced in the NIDD compared with subjects who had undergone gallstone surgery (P < 0.001), insulin dependent diabetics (P < 0.001), and age- and sex-matched non-diabetics (P < 0.001). G6Pase was inversely related to BG and antipyrine T1/2, but not to IRI or conventional liver function tests. Therapy with phenobarbital and medroxyprogesterone acetate, known inducers, increased G6Pase activity, shortened antipyrine T1/2, reduced BG and did not alter IRI, in 4 NIDD. Low liver G6Pase activity in NIDD may hence be 1 factor underlying the impaired glycemic control.