The Effects of Two Days of Bedrest on Insulin Resistance in Type 2 Diabetics

The hypothesis of this study is that bed rest in diabetic patients will result in a deterioration of metabolic control (primarily glucose). Specific aims: 1. To determine the change in metabolic control in type 2 diabetic individuals when three days of bed rest is compared to three days of activity; 2. To determine the rate of progression of the deterioration in metabolic control and the magnitude of the decrease; 3. To assess whether the anticipated deterioration of metabolic control has effects on several parameters of glucose metabolism, including hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia; 4. To determine the effects of bed rest on surrogate markers of atherosclerosis, such as plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI1), C-reactive protein (CRP), and homocysteine. 5. To compare the effects of 48 hours of bed rest on orthostatic responses in type 2 diabetic patients, and healthy non-diabetics. 6. To make recommendations to the diabetic community to prevent metabolic deterioration during a 3 day hospitalization.