Hereditary hemochromatosis is an inherited disorder of increased iron absorption that can
result in cirrhosis, diabetes, and other morbidities. We have investigated the mechanisms
underlying supranormal glucose tolerance despite decreased insulin secretion in a mouse
model of hemochromatosis with deletion of the hemochromatosis gene (Hfe–/–). Hfe–/–mice
on 129Sv or C57BL/6J backgrounds have decreased glucose excursions after challenge
compared with controls. In the C57BL/6J/Hfe–/–, for example, incremental area under the …