Effect of Experimentally Induced Hypoglycemia and Different Insulin Levels on Feelings of Hunger in Type 1 Diabetic Patients

Abstract

Introduction: This study investigates the impacts of experimentally induced hypoglycemia and different insulin infusion rates on feelings of hunger.

Methods: Blood glucose and insulin levels were manipulated by hyperinsulinemic glucose clamp technique. Participants were 16 patients with type 1 diabetes (age 36.2±11.7 yrs, diabetes duration 9.0±6.3 yrs, HbA1c 8.2±2.0%). One group (n=8) received moderate, constant insulin infusion (0.8 μU/kg/min), whereas the insulin infusion was doubled in the other group (1.6 μU/kg/min). Blood glucose was lowered stepwise from euglycemia (5.6 mmol/l) to moderate hypoglycemia (2.5 mmol/l).

Results: As expected, there was a significant effect of hypoglycemia on feelings of hunger (F (3, 42)=41.7, p<0.01). But during high insulin infusion, feelings of hunger were significantly less intense than during moderate insulin infusion (F (1, 14)=7.2, p=0.02).

Conclusion: Peripheral insulin levels seem to be associated with the intensity of feelings of hunger.

Key words

insulin - hunger regulation - regulation of energy homeostasis - hypoglycemia - type 1 diabetes

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