Relationship between glucose utilization by tissues and residual insulin secretion and their role in the genesis of hyperglycemia in type I diabetes mellitus

Altogether 67 patients aged 16 to 50 suffering from insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) of various duration were investigated to study the effect of peripheral sensitivity to insulin on genesis to hyperglycemia in type I diabetes mellitus. Residual beta-cell insulin secretory function was assessed by the level of C-peptide in a standard food test, and the rate of glucose utilization by tissues was studied by the clamp-method under the conditions of normoglycemia. The results obtained indicate the role of a decrease in peripheral sensitivity to insulin in genesis of hyperglycemia in diabetes mellitus, type I, and the presence of reciprocal interactions between glucose utilization and insulin secretion in IDDM patients and in controls.