Genetic regulation of the kinetics of glucose-induced insulin release in man. Studies in families with diabetic and non-diabetic probands.

Insulin release and sensitivity were estimated from glucose and insulin curves obtained at a glucose infusion test performed on altogether 601 subjects belonging to 155 nuclear families. Ascertainment was through one of the parents, and 96 of the probands had diabetes with clinical onset after the age of 30 years, while 59 were healthy subjects. Three variables obtained by a computer model were analysed, i.e. the glucose regulation of insulin release by a direct stimulatory event (KI) and time-dependent modulatory events (KP) as well as insulin sensitivity (KG). Complex segregation analysis revealed that the variables are genetically regulated, but there was no evidence for a major locus. The children of the diabetics did not differ from those of the non-diabetics as far as insulin release is concerned.