| abstract |
The present invention provides methods and compositions for measuring glucose tolerance in a subject. The methods are useful in a variety of contexts, such as in the diagnosis of diabetes in both human and animal subjects, in assessing gastric emptying times, and even in the diagnosis of insulin resistance. It is proposed that the methods of the present invention will prove to be of particular use in the mass screenings of population, e.g., in screening for type II diabetes mellitus, due to its simplicity and reproducibility. The method is even adaptable to simple finger stick analysis. The invention method includes the use of a potable beverage containing a low total loading dose of glucose in a low osmolar solution. The oral glucose solutions of the present invention empty rapidly from the stomach, thereby eliminating the nausea and vomiting typically associated with oral glucose tolerance tests. The oral glucose solutions of the present invention provide a provide excellent reproducibility of results and a distinct separation between nondiabetic and diabetic subjects, thereby enabling clinicians to better diagnose diabetes in a subject. |