Plasma free fatty acids in pregnant insulin-independent Natal Indian diabetics.

A study was undertaken in Natal Indians to determine the insulin secretory response and the comparative degree of free fatty acidaemia in normal and insulin-independent diabetic pregnant women. The fasting plasma FFA and glucose levels were found to be substantially greater in the diabetic subjects. The pattern of plasma FFA and glucose response to exogenous insulin was similar in both groups. Endogenous insulin produced a similar FFA response, but a markedly obtunded blood sugar response occurred among the diabetics despite adequate plasma insulin levels. The significance of the differential effect of endogenous insulin on FFA and glucose metabolism in pregnant insulin-independent Natal Indian diabetics is discussed.