Metabolic response to insulin induced hypoglycaemia in lean and obese subjects.

Metabolic response to insulin induced hypoglycaemia was examined in 8 lean and 11 obese subjects. The metabolic rate increased in lean and obese subjects during the hypoglycaemia. The mean response (as the sum of all the values above basal) was not significantly different between lean and obese subjects. The mean decrease in blood glucose and the mean hormonal response (increase in cortisol, adrenaline and noradrenaline) were not different between lean subjects and obese subjects. However, the metabolic response and noradrenaline response were variable in obese subjects and some obese subjects showed a poor response. These results suggest that in some obese subjects, there may be reduced thermogenic response to insulin induced hypoglycaemia.