Hormonal

Infusion of amino acids to maintain near-basal plasma concentrations in overnight-fasted humans induces insulin resistance by decreasing tissue responsiveness to insulin without altering sensitivity, suggesting a postreceptor defect.

If you are receiving intravenous nutrition containing amino acids while your body is producing or receiving high levels of insulin, your body will become less efficient at processing glucose. This is not a failure of your pancreas, but a direct effect of the amino acids on how insulin works at the cellular level (postreceptor). For healthy individuals eating normally, this effect is likely minimal, but for critically ill patients on parenteral nutrition, it is a significant clinical factor.