Metabolic response to glucose ingested with various amounts of protein

Am J Clin Nutr. 1990 Aug;52(2):267-72. doi: 10.1093/ajcn/52.2.267.

Abstract

Seven healthy, normal-weight subjects were fed breakfasts of 50 g protein, 50 g glucose, and 10, 30, or 50 g protein plus 50 g glucose in random sequence. Plasma glucose, insulin, C peptide, glucagon, nonesterified fatty acids, and alpha-amino nitrogen were then measured from samples obtained over 4 h. The postmeal net area of each response curve was calculated. Ingestion of 50 g protein alone did not change the serum glucose concentration. The various amounts of protein ingested with 50 g glucose also did not alter the serum glucose response compared with that observed with 50 g glucose alone. Ingestion of the various amounts of protein also did not result in a further increase in insulin concentration when ingested with glucose, except with the 50-g-protein dose. This increase was modest. Ingestion of glucose resulted in a decrease in alpha-amino nitrogen and glucagon concentrations whereas ingestion of protein increased them as expected. Additions of progressively larger amounts of protein to the glucose meal resulted in a progressive increase in the alpha-amino-nitrogen- and glucagon-area responses. The relationship was curvilinear for both the alpha-amino-nitrogen response and the glucagon response. The null point, that is, the protein dose ingested with 50 g glucose at which there would be no change in area response, was estimated to be 9 g protein for alpha-amino nitrogen and 5 g protein for glucagon.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Blood Glucose / metabolism*
  • C-Peptide / blood
  • Dietary Proteins / administration & dosage*
  • Energy Metabolism*
  • Fatty Acids, Nonesterified / blood
  • Female
  • Glucagon / blood
  • Glucose / administration & dosage
  • Glucose / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Insulin / blood*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nitrogen / blood*

Substances

  • Blood Glucose
  • C-Peptide
  • Dietary Proteins
  • Fatty Acids, Nonesterified
  • Insulin
  • Glucagon
  • Glucose
  • Nitrogen