Age-associated changes in hormonal function of the pancreas and regulation of blood glucose in monkeys

Age-associated changes in the concentrations of glucose, insulin, and DHEAS in peripheral blood plasma of female rhesus macaques were studied in intact animals and in response to a standard dose of glucose and insulin. Basal levels of insulin and glucose increased, insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance decreased, and pancreatic reaction to glucose load was impaired in old monkeys. Insulin level positively correlated with glucose concentration, body weight, and abdomen circumference and negatively correlated with DHEAS level.