SUPPRESSION OF LIPOLYSIS IN NORMAL MAN DOES NOT INHIBIT RECOVERY FROM INSULIN-INDUCED HYPOGLYCEMIA

Pharmacological suppression of lipolysis is being increasingly used in the treatment of diabetic hyperlipidaemia. Although theoretical hazard of such treatment is that recovery from hypoglycaemia might be impaired. Seven normal subjects were therefore studied on two occasions, following treatment with a single dose of either acipimox 250 mg or placebo. Hypoglycaemic recovery was unaffected, despite effective suppression of plasma non-esterified fatty acid levels with acipimox. The results suggest that under these conditions activation of lipolysis may not be essential to recovery from hypoglycaemia.