Increased Glucose Disappearance Rate after Short-Term Clofibrate Administration in Normal Subjects and in Patients with Chemical Diabetes

Abstract

Following seven days clofibrate administration, the glucose disappearance rate during an intravenous glucose tolerance test was significantly increased in 6 normal subjects and in 11 patients with chemical diabetes. Both the acute and the total insulin secretory response were unchanged. Though fasting serum levels of free fatty acids, triglycerides, and cholesterol were significantly lowered by treatment, no correlation was found between the decrease in serum lipids and the increase in glucose disappearance rate. It is suggested that clofibrate improves glucose utilization by reducing insulin resistance irrespective of its effects on serum lipids concentration.

Key words

Clofibrate - Glucose Disappearance Rate - Insulin Secretion

1 Former address: Endocrine Unit, 2nd Medical Clinic, University of Milan, Milan, Italy