Abstract
Hepatic glucose production was measured by tracer method in 9 elderly and 9 young subjects after an overnight fast. Blood samples were analyzed for glucoregulatory hormone levels.
Hepatic glucose production was similar in elderly and young subjects.
Significant hormone changes in the elderly included higher glucose and insulin levels and decreased glucagon. Nonsignificant decreases were seen in cortisol and urinary catecholamines, as well as a nonsignificant increase in growth hormone values. However, growth hormone was significantly correlated with hepatic glucose production in elderly (r = 0.79; p < 0.005), but not in young subjects.
We conclude that elderly subjects are able to maintain normal hepatic glucose production despite changes in glucoregulatory hormones. The rate of hepatic glucose production may be related to growth hormone level in elderly, but not in young subjects.
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Barzilai, N., Stessman, J., Cohen, P. et al. Glucoregulatory hormone influence on hepatic glucose production in the elderly. AGE 12, 13–17 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02432513
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02432513