AJP - Endocrinology and Metabolism, Vol 270, Issue 6 E946-E954, Copyright © 1996 by American Physiological Society
Impact of early growth retardation on glucoregulatory control and insulin action in mature rats
M. J. Holness
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Queen Mary and Westfield College, University of London, United Kingdom.
Glucoregulation and insulin action were examined in adult female progeny of
dams fed an 8% protein diet during gestation and lactation. Progeny were
provided with standard (20% protein) diet at weaning (24 days), at which
time body weight was reduced by 21%. Basal (postabsorptive) endogenous
glucose production (Ra) and glucose utilization by oxidative muscles was
decreased in offspring that had experienced early growth retardation. The
glucose disappearance rate after intravenous glucose and the glucose
infusion rate required to maintain euglycemia during insulin infusion were
both increased (by 35 and 24%, respectively) by early growth retardation.
Insulin secretion was unimpaired. During euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp,
Ra was suppressed further, and there was a twofold greater increment in the
stimulation of whole body glucose clearance rate in the offspring that
experienced early growth retardation. Insulin-stimulated glucose
utilization by peripheral tissues was unaffected.
