INFLUENCE OF BLOOD-LIPID LEVELS AND EFFECT OF PROLONGED FASTING ON CARBOHYDRATE METABOLISM IN OBESITY

Abstract Serum-cholesterol, serum-triglyceride, and plasma-free-fatty-acid (F.F.A.) levels were measured in 40 obese females divided into "diabetic" and "non-diabetic" groups according to their oral glucose-tolerance test. The serum-cholesterol was significantly related to impairment of the glucose-tolerance, but F.F.A. levels were closely similar in both groups. Subjects with elevated triglyceride levels had an increased prevalence of reduced glucose tolerance. Among 23 obese subjects fasted 17-120 days, diabetics improved their glucose tolerance, whereas non-diabetics showed deterioration. It is suggested that the differences between the groups implies heterogeneity in the aetiology of obesity.