Dynamic hepatic recycling glucose tolerance test

摘要

Systems and methods are described providing a hepatic recycling glucose tolerance test for the diagnosis of types and subtypes of diabetes mellitus and other hyperglycemic or hypoglycemic conditions. A method is also provided for screening candidate drugs for treating various types of abnormal glucose metabolism and to monitor whether the course of treatment is effective. The method also allows the correlation of gene activity, hormone and metabolite levels with glucose flux and recycling and an assessment of the degree of hepatic insulin resistance. The method utilizes a preferably non-radioactive stable labeled glucose to asses the relative rates of carbon flow in the liver and provides a hepatic recycling constant that is a measure of the relative rate of glucose recycling. The labeled glucose may be introduced to the patient orally, intravenously or by intraperitoneal administration for the desired effect.