Effect of “preoperative” oral carbohydrate treatment on insulin action—a randomised cross-over unblinded study in healthy subjects

• Published in: Clinical nutrition (Edinburgh, Scotland) Vol. 24; no. 5; pp. 815 - 821
• Main Authors: Svanfeldt, Monika, Thorell, Anders, Hausel, Jonatan, Soop, Mattias, Nygren, Jonas, Ljungqvist, Olle
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 2005; Elsevier
• Subjects: Administration, Oral; Adult; Aged; Analysis of Variance; Biological and medical sciences; Blood Glucose - metabolism; Calorimetry, Indirect; Carbohydrate load; Cross-Over Studies; Dietary Carbohydrates - administration & dosage; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Female; Glucose Clamp Technique; Humans; Hyperinsulinaemic normoglucaemic clamp; Indirect calorimetry; Insulin - metabolism; Insulin action; Insulin Resistance; Male; Medical sciences; Metabolic diseases; Postoperative Period; Preoperative Care - methods; Preoperative oral carbohydrate loading; Time Factors; Hyperinsulinaemic normoglucaemic clamp; Preoperative oral carbohydrate loading; Carbohydrate load; Indirect calorimetry; Insulin action; Pancreatic hormone; Randomization; Treatment; Healthy subject; Nutrition; Oral administration; Carbohydrate; Preoperative; Crossover study; Insulin
• DOI: 10.1016/j.clnu.2005.05.002
• ISSN: 0261-5614; 1532-1983

Preoperative intake of a clear carbohydrate-rich drink reduces insulin resistance after surgery. In this study, we evaluated whether this could be related to increased insulin sensitivity at the onset of surgery. Furthermore, we aimed to establish the optimal dose-regimen. Six healthy volunteers underwent hyperinsulinaemic (0.8 mU/kg/min), normoglycaemic (4.5 mmol/l) clamps and indirect calorimetry on four occasions in a crossover-randomised order; after overnight fasting (CC), after a single evening dose (800 ml) of the drink (LC), after a single morning dose (400 ml, CL) and after intake of the drink in the evening and in the morning before the clamp (LL). Data are presented as mean±SD. Statistical analysis was performed using the Student's t-test and ANOVA. Insulin sensitivity was higher in CL and LL (9.2±1.5 and 9.3±1.9 mg/kg/min, respectively) compared to CC and LC (6.1±1.6 and 6.6±1.9 mg/kg/min, P < 0.01 vs. CL and LL). A carbohydrate-rich drink enhances insulin action 3 h later by approximately 50%. Enhanced insulin action to normal postprandial day-time level at the time of onset of anaesthesia or surgery is likely to, at least partly, explain the effects on postoperative insulin resistance.