Abstract
Eight or 12g of xylitol or glucose was given intravaenously to several diabetic patients and healthy subjects. Effects of these treatments on the carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, and the insulin secretion were studied.
1) After injection of xylitol, the blood glucose level incresed temporarily in both groups. In diabetic patients, the increase in blood glucose was greater and lasted longer.
2) The administered glucose remained in the circulation much longer in diabetic patients than in healthy subjects. As for xylitol, no such difference was found between diabetics and healthy subiects, suggesting that xylitol can be metabolized in diabetics rapidly as in healthy subjects.
3) In diabetic patients, the distribution space of xylitol was larger than that of glucose. Xylitol seems to be incorporated into tissues better than glucose.
4) In healthy controls, xylitol administration stimulated the insulin secretion less than glucose administration. In diabetic patients, both treatments affected on the insulin secretion to a similar extent.
5) Blood laclate concentration increased in parallel with the blood glucose concentration after xylitol injection. Xylitol seems to be utilized by peripheral tissues.
6) Decreases of the serum nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA) following glucose administration were almost the same in both diabetic and healthy subjects. However, the decrease of NEFA followiag xylitol administration was much greter in diabetic patients than in healthy controls.
