Serum insulin, C-peptide and pancreatic polypeptide in response to food and non-food external cues in obese school girls

Abstract

As earlier studies have suggested an abnormal neuro-humoral control of the endocrine pancreas in obesity, we have investigated 11 obese school girls (89.3kg ± 15.2, mean ±SD) and 9 agematched controls (45.9±7.8kg). Repeated blood samples (glucose, immunoreactive insulin (IRI), C-peptide,glucagon and pancreatic polypeptide (PP)) were drawn before and after: saccharin ingestion, the scent of a strong fragrant flower, the smell and sight of a pleasant meal which eventually was eaten. Blood glucose and glucagon levels were unchanged and similar in both groups. IRI and C-peptide values were consistently higher in the obese girls compared to the controls. After smell and sight of food the obese girls, in contrast to the controls, showed a small increase in insulin levels (p<0.1). pp-values were consistently lower in the obese group with a blunted response after the ingestion of food compared to the controls (227±81 and 516±99 resp.) Our results confirm earlier studies of elevated insulin levels after sight and smell of food in obesity. However non-food external cues had no impact on the parameters studied. The low PP-values and the blunted response in the obese girls after the intake of food is difficult to explain. Further studies will be required before the possible role of disturbed pp-scretion in the etiology of obesity can be clarified.

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