β-Cell function during a high-fat meal in young versus old adults: role of exercise

Abstract

High-fat diets may induce β-cell dysfunction. This study compared how young and older adults responded to a high-fat meal with regard to β-cell function and whether exercise comparably impacted glucose regulation. Older adults secreted more insulin during the high-fat meal than younger adults. Although exercise increased β-cell function adjusted for skeletal muscle insulin sensitivity in relation to glucose tolerance, it raised adipose insulin resistance and reduced pancreatic β-cell function relative to adipose tissue in older adults. Additional work is needed to discern nutrient-exercise interactions across age to mitigate chronic disease risk.