Forearm glucose uptake during glucose tolerance tests in chronic alcoholics.

In twelve chronic alcoholics the glucose uptake in a forearm segment was studied during glucose tolerance tests. The tests were performed twice in each case, on the 3rd and on the 10th to 14th days after admission to hospital in an intoxicated state after a period of excessive alcohol intake. The total forearm glucose uptake following an oral glucose load almost doubled from the first to the second examination. Arterial glucose and insulin concentrations were similar on the two occasions. The findings indicate that the disposal of an oral glucose load is altered during the recovery after a period of excessive alcohol intake. The contribution made by muscle tissue increases twofold while that of the liver decreases.