Serial changes in glucose utilization and insulin and growth hormone secretion in acute cerebrovascular disease

Abstract

Serial studies were made of glucose utilization and insulin and growth hormone secretion following intravenous glucose tolerance tests given to 16 patients during recovery from acute cerebrovascular disease. Three groups of palients were identified based on the pattern of change of glucose utilization during the first month of convalescence. A small group showed a persistent defective insuiin response to glucose and appeared lo have had pre-existing unrecognized adult-onset diabetes mellitus. The two other groups showed either an immediate suppression of glucose utilization or delayed development of of these responses returned to normal by the end of the fourth week. Growth hormone secretion correlated with the severity of the stroke. Alterations in glucose metabolism and insulin secretion seem to occur in most patients following recovery from stroke and undoubtedly reflect transient hormonal or the interval after the onset of the vascular episode. © 1972 American Heart Association, Inc.