For different reasons interest in dietary protein intake has recently increased in diabetes research. Manipulation of protein ingestion has been used to slow down diabetic nephropathy [1]. Furthermore, epidemiological studies indicate that the quantity and quality of protein ingestion affects the expression of Type I (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus [2,3]. We have previously shown that a high protein diet accelerates the progression of the autoimmune loss of endogeneous insulin secretion in patients with Type I diabetes [4,5]. In general, high protein ingestion could be more detrimental in clinical situations with impaired glucose tolerance than is recognized; there is evidence that high protein intake promotes diabetes. Therefore, more knowledge is needed to decide in what way high dietary protein intake changes glucose metabolism in humans.The protein supplied by a meal is a major stimulator of insulin secretion [6]. Dietary protein potential- Diabetologia (2000) Results. Glucose-stimulated insulin secretion was increased in the high protein group (516 45 pmol/l vs 305 32, p = 0.012) due to reduced glucose threshold of the endocrine beta cells (4.2 0.5 mmol/l vs 4.9 0.3, p = 0.031). Endogeneous glucose output was increased by 12 % (p = 0.009) at 40 pmol/l plasma insulin in the high protein group, but not at higher insulin concentration whereas overall glucose disposal was reduced. Fasting plasma glucagon was 34 % increased in the high protein group (p = 0.038). Fractional gluconeogenesis was increased by 40 % in subjects receiving a high protein diet as determined by both methods. Conclusion/interpretation. High protein diet is accompanied by increased stimulation of glucagon and insulin within the endocrine pancreas, high glycogen turnover and stimulation of gluconeogenesis. [Diabetologia (2000