An association between affective disorders and alterations in glucose
utilization has been recognized. The authors administered a 5-hour oral
glucose tolerance test (GTT) to 28 depressed patients and 21 healthy
volunteer control subjects and measured serum glucose as well as plasma
insulin and glucagon responses. Depressed patients demonstrated
significantly higher basal glucose levels, greater cumulative glucose
responses after the GTT, and larger cumulative insulin responses after the
GTT than control subjects. Values for cumulative glucagon did not
significantly differ between groups. These findings indicate the presence
of a functional state of insulin resistance during major depressive illness
and suggest the presence of a more generalized biological disturbance in
some depressed patients.Abstract Teaser