Objective: To study and to compare the basal and postprandial intermediary metabolism of patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM2) both at sea level (SL) as well as at high altitude (HA). Methodology: a total of 33 normal dwellers and 33 DM2 patients of SL(Lima, 150 meters above sea level- masl-) and 30 normal dwellers and 28 DM2 patients of HA(Cusco, 3,395 masl), of both genders, 40 to 70 years old were included. Body mass index (BMI) and abdominal circunference (AC) were measured. Glucose (G), total cholesterol (TC), HDL cholesterol (HDL), triglycerides (Tg), insulin (I) and non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) were measured in blood at fasting, Cholesterol VLDL,LDL, NOHDL and HOMA coefficient were calculated; thereafter and during 6 hours after ingestion of a standardized mixed meal containing 730 Kcal G, I, Tg and NEFA were measured in blood. Statistical calculations were done by mea...

OBJETIVE: To determine normal metabolism variations following food ingestion. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 33 normal middle-aged and old adults, 16 female and 17 male, 45-70 years old (average 56,3 ± 7,32), were studied both after a 12-14 hours nocturnal fast and following ingestion of a food mixture containing 730 kcal, 55,4% fat, 37,2% carbohydrates and 7,4% protein, an almost standard breakfast. Blood samples were obtained at fasting state and during 6 hours after the ingestion of the meal described before. Glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol and HDL cholesterol were measured by enzymatic methods, insuline by radioimmune assay and non–esterified fatty acids (NEFA) by the method of Duncombe. RESULTS: Blood glucose rose from 30 minutes to the 2nd hour; insulin from 30 minutes to the 4th hour, triglycerides rose from the 2nd to 4th hour and then began to decline at the 6th h...