Sex-Related Differences in the Effects of the Mediterranean Diet on Glucose and Insulin Homeostasis

الملخص EN

Objective.

To document sex differences in the impact of the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) on glucose/insulin homeostasis and to verify whether these sex-related effects were associated with changes in nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA).

Methods.

All foods were provided to 38 men and 32 premenopausal women (24–53 y) during 4 weeks.

Variables were measured during a 180 min OGTT before and after the MedDiet.

Results.

A sex-by-time interaction for plasma insulin iAUC was found (men: −17.8%, P = 0.02 ; women: +9.4%, P = 0.63 ; P for sex-by-time interaction = 0.005).

A sex-by-time interaction was also observed for insulin sensitivity (Cederholm index, P = 0.03 ), for which only men experienced improvements (men: +8.1%, P = 0.047 ; women: −5.9%, P = 0.94 ).

No sex difference was observed for glucose and C-peptide responses.

Trends toward a decrease in NEFA AUC ( P = 0.06 ) and an increase in NEFA suppression rate ( P = 0.06 ) were noted, with no sex difference.

Changes in NEFA were not associated with change in insulin sensitivity.

Conclusions.

Results suggest that the more favorable changes in glucose/insulin homeostasis observed in men compared to women in response to the MedDiet are not explained by sex differences in NEFA response.

This clinical trial is registered with clinicaltrials.gov NCT01293344.