[Peripheral sensitivity to insulin in aged subjects].

Insulin sensitivity has been studied in ten young patients (22 years old means) and in eleven elderly patients (72 years old means). They were free of family diabetes history, glucose intolerance, hypertriglyceridemia, hepatic or renal failure or factor of insulin resistance such as infectious diseases. A two hours hyperinsulinic euglycemic clamp was done with an artificial pancreas (Biostator GCIIS Miles). The ten young patients and the eleven old patients had a stable hyperinsulinic level (93.3 +/- 5 uu/ml and 90 +/- 8 uu/ml) they respectively required 8.08 +/- 0.73 and 5.5 +/- 2.5 mg/kg/min of glucose. Metabolic clearance of insulin does not seem altered with aging. For a same hyperinsulinic level the glucose requirement is less in old patients. So there is an apparent insulin resistance in aging.