Aging and insulin secretion

AM Chang, JB Halter - American Journal of Physiology …, 2003 - journals.physiology.org
AM Chang, JB Halter
American Journal of Physiology-Endocrinology and Metabolism, 2003journals.physiology.org
Glucose tolerance progressively declines with age, and there is a high prevalence of type 2
diabetes and postchallenge hyperglycemia in the older population. Age-related glucose
intolerance in humans is often accompanied by insulin resistance, but circulating insulin
levels are similar to those of younger people. Under some conditions of hyperglycemic
challenge, insulin levels are lower in older people, suggesting β-cell dysfunction. When
insulin sensitivity is controlled for, insulin secretory defects have been consistently …
Glucose tolerance progressively declines with age, and there is a high prevalence of type 2 diabetes and postchallenge hyperglycemia in the older population. Age-related glucose intolerance in humans is often accompanied by insulin resistance, but circulating insulin levels are similar to those of younger people. Under some conditions of hyperglycemic challenge, insulin levels are lower in older people, suggesting β-cell dysfunction. When insulin sensitivity is controlled for, insulin secretory defects have been consistently demonstrated in aging humans. In addition, β-cell sensitivity to incretin hormones may be decreased with advancing age. Impaired β-cell compensation to age-related insulin resistance may predispose older people to develop postchallenge hyperglycemia and type 2 diabetes. An improved understanding of the metabolic alterations associated with aging is essential for the development of preventive and therapeutic interventions in this population at high risk for glucose intolerance.
American Physiological Society