Lancaster Medical School, Health Innovation One, Sir John Fisher Drive, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK.
Royal Blackburn Hospital, East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, Blackburn, UK.
Exp Physiol. 2024 Sep;109(9):1461-1477. doi: 10.1113/EP091433. Epub 2024 Jul 16.
Accurate measurements of glycaemic control and the underpinning regulatory mechanisms are vital in human physiology research. Glycaemic control is the maintenance of blood glucose concentrations within optimal levels and is governed by physiological variables including insulin sensitivity, glucose tolerance and β-cell function. These can be measured with a plethora of methods, all with their own benefits and limitations. Deciding on the best method to use is challenging and depends on the specific research question(s). This review therefore discusses the theory and procedure, validity and reliability and any special considerations of a range common methods used to measure glycaemic control, insulin sensitivity, glucose tolerance and β-cell function. Methods reviewed include glycosylated haemoglobin, continuous glucose monitors, the oral glucose tolerance test, mixed meal tolerance test, hyperinsulinaemic euglycaemic clamp, hyperglycaemic clamp, intravenous glucose tolerance test and indices derived from both fasting concentrations and the oral glucose tolerance test. This review aims to help direct understanding, assessment and decisions regarding which method to use based on specific physiology-related research questions.
准确测量血糖控制和潜在的调节机制在人类生理学研究中至关重要。血糖控制是指将血糖浓度维持在最佳水平，受包括胰岛素敏感性、葡萄糖耐量和β细胞功能在内的生理变量控制。这些可以通过多种方法进行测量，每种方法都有其自身的优点和局限性。选择最佳的方法使用具有挑战性，取决于特定的研究问题。因此，本综述讨论了一系列常用的测量血糖控制、胰岛素敏感性、葡萄糖耐量和β细胞功能的方法的理论和程序、有效性和可靠性以及任何特殊注意事项。综述的方法包括糖化血红蛋白、连续血糖监测仪、口服葡萄糖耐量试验、混合餐耐量试验、高胰岛素正葡萄糖钳夹、高血糖钳夹、静脉葡萄糖耐量试验以及从空腹浓度和口服葡萄糖耐量试验中得出的指数。本综述旨在帮助根据特定的与生理学相关的研究问题，指导对使用哪种方法的理解、评估和决策。
