Effect of Glucocorticoids on Plasma Insulin

ALTHOUGH the diabetogenic activity of adrenoglucocorticoids has been studied extensively in terms of increased gluconeogenesis and impaired peripheral glucose utilization1 2 3 4 the effects of these steroids on pancreatic islet-cell function have not received much attention. In the present study the effect of the synthetic glucocorticoid dexamethasone on the plasma insulin response of normal, mildly diabetic and acromegalic subjects to oral administration of glucose and intravenous administration of tolbutamide has been determined. In addition, since increased gluconeogenesis is a characteristic feature of glucocorticoid action, the effect on the response of insulin secretion to intravenously infused tolbutamide in mild hyperglycemia maintained by prolonged . . .