The Effect of Environmental Temperature on Glucose and Insulin After an Oral Glucose Tolerance Test in Healthy Young Men

Charles L. Dumke, Dustin R. Slivka, John S. Cuddy, Walter S. Hailes, Shawn M. Rose, Brent C. Ruby

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    44 Scopus citations

    Abstract

    Objective The purpose of this study was to compare glucose and insulin responses during an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in cold (C), neutral (N), and hot (H) environments. Methods Eleven males completed three 4-hour climate-controlled OGTT trials (C, 7.2°C; N, 22°C; and H, 43°C). Participants remained semireclined for 60 minutes before ingesting a 1.8 g/kg glucose beverage. Skin and rectal core temperatures were continuously monitored. Blood was collected just before glucose ingestion (time 0) and at 15, 30, 60, 90, 120, and 180 minutes, and analyzed for serum glucose, insulin, hematocrit, and hemoglobin. Expired gases were collected upon entering the chamber (-60 minutes), before glucose ingestion (0 minutes), and at 60, 120, and 180 minutes to determine Vo2 and respiratory exchange ratio. Results Rectal core temperature was greater in the H condition compared with both C and N (P <.001). Rectal core temperature was not different between C and N, whereas skin temperature was different across all trials (H greater than N greater than C). The Vo2 was greater in C than in both H and N during all time points. Carbohydrate oxidation was greater in C compared with H and N (P < 0.001). Glucose was higher during H compared with C and N (P ≤ 0.002). Glucose was elevated in C compared with N. Insulin was higher in H compared with C (P = 0.009). Area under the curve for serum glucose was greater in H compared with C and N (P ≤ 0.001); however, there was no significant difference in area under the curve for insulin. Conclusions These data indicate that after an OGTT, glucose and insulin are elevated in a hot environment.

    Original languageEnglish (US)
    Article number609
    Pages (from-to)335-342
    Number of pages8
    JournalWilderness and Environmental Medicine
    Volume26
    Issue number3
    DOIs
    StatePublished - Sep 1 2015

    Keywords

    • cold
    • environmental stress
    • heat
    • oral glucose tolerance test

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Emergency Medicine
    • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

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