Insulin secretion and insulin sensitivity are normal in non-diabetic subjects from maternal inheritance diabetes and deafness families

Abstract

Background: The pathophysiological mechanism of diabetes mellitus in the presence of the 3243 A-G tRNALEU(UR) mitochondrial DNA mutation is thought to result from deficient insulin secretion. However, few subjects with normal glucose tolerance have been studied to determine the sequence of events resulting in the development of diabetes mellitus. Aim: To determine whether abnormalities of insulin sensitivity, insulin secretion or glucose effectiveness are present in non-diabetic subjects with the 3243 A-G tRNALEU(UUR) mitochondrial DNA mutation. Methods: Twelve non-diabetic subjects with the mutation were compared with 12 controls, matched for age and anthropometric parameters, using both or..