Stress-induced hyperglycemia in healthy bungee jumpers without diabetes due to decreased pancreatic β-cell function and increased insulin resistance.

BACKGROUND: Acute diseases are associated with increased stress and immune responses. Both of these responses are associated with disturbances of glucose metabolism, and it is therefore difficult to ascertain whether these disturbances are related to increased stress alone or a result of the systemic inflammatory response. We investigated the effects that acute stress has on glucose metabolism in an acute stress model that is not accompanied by an increased immune response. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Glucose levels as well as pancreatic β-cell function, insulin resistance, and parameters of stress and immune responses were assessed in healthy bungee jumpers 2 h before, immediately before, and after the jump.
RESULTS: Glucose levels and stress hormones were increased, right before and after the jump, whereas the immune response was decreased. Pancreatic β-cell function was decreased right before the jump, and insulin resistance was increased right after the jump. Higher levels of cortisol correlated with increased insulin resistance after the jump. Furthermore, larger increments of cortisol before and of epinephrine after the jump were associated with decreased pancreatic β-cell function.
CONCLUSIONS: Acute stress in healthy bungee jumpers induces acute disturbances of glucose metabolism that are independent from a systemic inflammatory response.