[Antagonistic action of prednisolone and buformin in the carbohydrate metabolism of healthy persons (author's transl)].

Intravenous glucose tolerance tests were performed and changes of blood glucose and insulin concentration were measured to examine whether the diabetogenic effect of glucocorticoides can be compensated by biguanides. Seven standard weight volunteers with a healthy metabolism were given prednisolone and buformin as well as a combination of both. In spite of the reactively higher insulin secretion after treatment with prednisolone the glucose tolerance was reduced. In contrast, treatment with biguanide improved the glucose tolerance while decreasing the insulin secretion. It was nearly possible to compensate the negative effect of prednisolone on the carbohydrate metabolism by biguanides. We, therefore, consider a preventive administration of biguanides to be effective in long term or high dosage administration of glucocorticoides.