Beta cell function declines with age in glucose tolerant Caucasians
Journal
Clinical Endocrinology
Journal Volume
53
Journal Issue
5
Pages
569-575
Date Issued
2000
Author(s)
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: As type 2 diabetes results from an imbalance between insulin sensitivity and beta cell function, either or both may worsen with age. However, existing data are controversial on the effect of ageing on both insulin sensitivity and beta cell function. SUBJECTS AND DESIGN: We enrolled 149 healthy, glucose tolerant and normotensive Caucasians (age 35 ± 1 years, body mass index 26.07 ± 0.44 kg/m2, waist-hip ratio 0.842 ± 0.009 cm/cm, mean ± standard error). A cross-sectional study was designed to examine the impact of age on insulin sensitivity and beta cell function. Their beta cell function (percentage B [%B]) and insulin sensitivity (percentage S [%S]) were estimated using the homeostasis model assessment. RESULTS: Simple regression analysis revealed that %B declined with age (P=0.008) while no relation was found between %S and age (P=0.769). A step-wise regression analysis revealed that body mass index and diastolic blood pressure explained 14.7% of variation in %S, white age, waist-hip ratio, gender, and systolic blood pressure had no influence on %S. Age, body mass index and diastolic blood pressure together accounted for 21.7% of variation in %B, with age being an independent variable. CONCLUSIONS: In the present study, we showed that beta cell function declined with age at a rate of about 1% per year. In contrast, insulin sensitivity was not affected by ageing. Our observations suggest that the age-related decline in glucose tolerance is primarily related to the loss of beta-cell function.
SDGs
Other Subjects
adult; aged; aging; article; body mass; Caucasian; glucose tolerance; human; insulin sensitivity; non insulin dependent diabetes mellitus; normal human; pathophysiology; priority journal; regression analysis; Adult; Age Factors; Aged; Aging; Blood Pressure; Body Constitution; Body Mass Index; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Glucose; Glucose Tolerance Test; Homeostasis; Humans; Insulin; Islets of Langerhans; Male; Middle Aged; Regression Analysis; Sex Factors
Type
journal article