Insulin metabolism shows various changes in chronic renal failure (CRF). in this study, insulin resistance was assessed by insulin tolerance test in 14 patients with end stage CRF and 10 healthy volunteers respectively. Contrary to the similarity of their blood glucose levels, the levels of C-peptide, insulin and parathyroid hormone were higher and insulin resistance was greater in the patient group compared with those of controls (p<0.001, p<0.04, p<0.001, p<0.002). As secondary hyperparathyroidism, electrolyte changes, metabolic acidosis, anemia, and uremic toxins have been found responsible for insulin resistance in CRF, it has been concluded that treating these mostly improvable causes will decrease the complications related with the disorders of insulin-glucose metabolism in uremic patients.
Keywords: Chronic Renal Failure, insulin resistance, insulin tolerance test (ITT)