Open AccessNormal Insulin Sensitivity in Lean Offspring of Obese Parents
Author(s) -
Lazarin Mary A.C.T.,
Bennini João R.,
Pereira Carlos L.C.,
Astiarraga Brenno D.,
Ferrannini Ele,
Muscelli Elza
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
obesity research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1550-8528
pISSN - 1071-7323
DOI - 10.1038/oby.2004.71
Subject(s) - endocrinology , medicine , offspring , insulin resistance , insulin , thermogenesis , impaired glucose tolerance , obesity , overweight , carbohydrate metabolism , body mass index , glucose tolerance test , biology , pregnancy , genetics
Objective : Offspring of diabetic or hypertensive patients are insulin resistant at a prediabetic/prehypertensive stage. We tested the hypothesis that insulin action may be impaired in the offspring of obese nondiabetic parents. Research Methods and Procedures : Twenty‐one lean offspring of nonobese subjects [(OL) 22 ± 3 years of age] were matched to 23 lean offspring of obese subjects (OOb) by gender distribution, age, BMI, and waist circumference. Anthropometry, oral glucose tolerance, in vivo insulin sensitivity [by a euglycemic insulin clamp (6 pmol/min per kilogram FFM ; where FFM represents fat‐free mass)], and thermogenesis (by indirect calorimetry) were measured in each subject. The study subjects were from a population of 267 nuclear families (one offspring and both his/her parents) in which there was statistically significant (χ 2 = 30.2, p = 0.001) concordance of BMI between parents and offspring. Results : In comparing OOb with OL, no statistically significant difference or trend toward a difference was detected in fasting plasma glucose and insulin concentrations, glucose and insulin responses to oral glucose, insulin sensitivity [metabolism value = 45 ± 12 (OOb) vs. 47 ± 17 μmol/min per kilogram FFM (OL)], insulin‐induced inhibition of protein and lipid oxidation, stimulation of glucose oxidation and nonoxidative glucose disposal, respiratory quotient, resting energy expenditure, and glucose‐induced thermogenesis. Discussion : The metabolic similarity between lean offspring of obese parents and those of nonobese parents suggests that insulin resistance and its correlates are not co‐inherited with the predisposition to develop obesity.