GLUCOSE TOLERANCE AND SERUM INSULIN IN RATS AND INSULIN SENSITIVITY OF RAT ADIPOSE CELLS FOLLOWING TREATMENT WITH THE PROGESTOGEN CLOMEGESTONE ACETATE

Abstract

ABSTRACT Daily treatment of rats for 2–4 weeks with 2.5 and 8 mg/kg clomegestone acetate subcutaneously (sc) results in an impairment of the intravenous (iv) glucose tolerance in spite of high circulating insulin concentrations. This effect is associated with reduced sensitivity of adipose tissue cells towards added insulin as measured in glucose conversion to CO2 and in the antilipolytic effect of insulin. In addition, fat cells exhibit a reduced response to the lipolytic action of epinephrine. Serum free fatty acids are not appreciably altered neither in fed nor in starved animals. Glycogen deposition in liver is increased. The implications of the increased insulin levels are discussed.