Changes in corneal sensitivity were studied in two groups of healthy subjects who wore hydrogel contact lenses: 44 persons whose lenses contained 38% water, and 23 who wore lenses of 55% water content. Corneal sensitivity decreased in both groups during the first 8 h following insertion; the decrease was more marked in the group who wore 38% water lenses. Changes in corneal tactile sensitivity were greater in women than in men, and determinations in different corneal zones showed that the central zone was less affected in sensitivity than any of the peripheral zones. After lenses were removed, tactile sensitivity showed full recovery within 4 h.

Aims/hypothesis. Insulin resistance is considered to be a risk factor for diabetes and coronary heart disease and is determined by the interaction between genetic and environmental factors. The SstI polymorphism in the apolipoprotein C-III gene has been related to the presence of different features of the insulin resistance syndrome. We investigate if this mutation influences the peripheral effect of insulin in healthy young subjects (30 men and 29 women) eating a westernised diet. Methods. We investigated peripheral insulin sensitivity with the insulin suppression test after a 28-day westernised high-saturated fat diet (38% total fat and 18% saturated fat with 115 mg of cholesterol per 1000 Ju). Results. Steady state plasma glucose values were lower in S1-S1 compared with S1-S2 men (p=0.018 by ANOVA), but not in women (p=0.723). Conclusion/interpretation. There was no difference between carriers and non-carriers of the S2 allele in relation to incidence and sensitivity; although on subgroup analysis there was an effect in men but not in women. [Diabetologia (2002[Diabetologia ( ) 45:1196[Diabetologia ( -1200 Keywords High-saturated fat diet, insulin sensitivity, glucose metabolism, non-esterified fatty acids.