Comparison of the pattern of postprandial carbohydrate metabolism after ingestion of a glucose drink or a mixed meal.

To determine whether the postprandial pattern of carbohydrate metabolism differs after ingestion of an identical amount of glucose as either a drink or as a part of a mixed meal, normal subjects were studied on two occasions. On both occasions, hepatic and extrahepatic glucose metabolism were assessed using the dual isotope and forearm catheterization techniques as well as indirect calorimetry. Plasma glucose, insulin, and C-peptide concentrations and rate of systemic entry of ingested glucose all were lower (P less than 0.05) during the first 15 min after the mixed meal than after the glucose drink. The integrated C-peptide response was greater (P less than 0.05) after the mixed meal, whereas the integrated suppression of glucagon was greater (P less than 0.05) after the glucose drink. Despite these differences in circulating hormone concentrations, after the first 15 min, the rates of systemic entry of ingested glucose, endogenous glucose release, incorporation of carbon dioxide into glucose, and glucose and lipid oxidation as well as nonoxidative glucose storage were virtually the same after the mixed meal and the glucose drink. We conclude that the pattern of postprandial carbohydrate metabolism after ingestion of a glucose meal is remarkably similar to that after ingestion of a more traditional mixed meal. These data suggest that insights regarding the pattern of postprandial carbohydrate metabolism derived from previous studies employing only a glucose drink are likely to pertain to those observed when healthy individuals ingest a meal that contains protein and fat.