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A Solini

Publications and source records attributed to A Solini.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Elevated PC-1 content in cultured skin fibroblasts correlates with decreased in vivo and in vitro insulin action in nondiabetic subjects: evidence that PC-1 may be an intrinsic factor in impaired insulin receptor signaling.

Membrane glycoprotein PC-1 inhibits insulin receptor (IR) tyrosine kinase activity and subsequent cellular signaling. PC-1 content is elevated in muscle and adipose tissue from insulin-resistant subjects, and its elevation correlates with in vivo insulin resistance. To determine whether elevated PC-1 content is a primary cause of insulin resistance, we have now measured PC-1 content in cultured skin fibroblasts from nonobese nondiabetic insulin-resistant subjects and found that 1) PC-1 content was significantly higher in these cells when compared with cells from insulin-sensitive subjects (6.7 +/- 0.9 vs. 3.1 +/- 0.6 ng/0.1 mg protein, mean +/- SE, P < 0.01); 2) PC-1 content in fibroblasts was highly correlated with PC-1 content in muscle tissue (r = 0.95, P = 0.01); 3) PC-1 content in fibroblasts negatively correlated with both decreased in vivo insulin sensitivity and decreased in vitro IR autophosphorylation; and 4) in cells from insulin-resistant subjects, insulin stimulation of glycogen synthetase was decreased. These studies indicate, therefore, that the elevation of PC-1 content may be a primary factor in the cause of insulin resistance.

Adult↗

Na+/Li+ and Na+/H+ countertransport activity in hypertensive non-insulin-dependent diabetic patients: role of insulin resistance and antihypertensive treatment.

We measured erythrocyte Na+/Li+ and Na+/H+ countertransport (CT) activity (millimoles per liter per cell per hour) in 10 healthy control subjects (age, 38 +/- 4 years; body mass index, 25 +/- 1 kg/m2) and in 25 hypertensive patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus ([NIDDM] age, 49 +/- 3 years; body mass index, 29 +/- 1 kg/m2; fasting plasma glucose, 157 +/- 12 mg/dL) 4 weeks after discontinuation of previous antihypertensive treatment. Na+/Li+ CT was significantly increased in hypertensive NIDDM patients compared with controls (0.56 +/- 0.04 v 0.30 +/- 0.03, P < .01), whereas Na+/H+ CT was similar to control levels (21 +/- 1 v 20 +/- 2). A positive correlation was found between Na+/Li+ CT and the severity of insulin resistance (r = .69, P < .01), mean arterial pressure ([MAP] r = .64, P < .01), plasma triglyceride concentration (r = .46, P < .05), and plasma total cholesterol (r = .41, P < .05). An inverse correlation was found between Na+/Li+ CT activity and plasma insulin concentration (r = -.47, P < .05). No relationship was observed between Na+/Li+ CT activity and either creatinine clearance or proteinuria. Stepwise multiple regression analysis for all metabolic variables and blood pressure showed that only the severity of insulin resistance was positively correlated with increased Na+/Li+ CT activity. Na+/H+ and Na+/Li+ CT activity were not altered by 3 hours of euglycemic physiologic hyperinsulinemia (84 +/- 3 microU/mL). Hypertensive NIDDM subjects were treated for 3 months with captopril, nifedipine, or doxazosin. After captopril, a reduction of Na+/H+ CT was observed (22 +/- 4 v 13 +/- 2, P < .05); Na+/Li+ CT decreased after doxazosin (0.56 +/- 0.06 v 0.45 +/- 0.05, P < .05) and nifedipine (0.52 +/- 0.06 v 0.42 +/- 0.05, P < .05). In conclusion, in hypertensive NIDDM subjects, (1) Na+/Li+ CT is increased and is correlated with the level of insulin resistance and the MAP; (2) acute physiologic hyperinsulinemia does not affect Na+/Li+ or Na+/H+ CT activity; and (3) Na+/H+ CT activity is reduced by captopril, and Na+/Li+ CT is decreased by doxazosin and nifedipine.

Adult↗

Protein metabolism in human obesity: relationship with glucose and lipid metabolism and with visceral adipose tissue.

It is controversial whether metabolic disorders of human obesity include protein metabolism. Even less information is available concerning the effect of fat distribution on protein metabolism. Therefore, a comprehensive evaluation of glucose, lipid, and protein metabolism was performed in 11 obese nondiabetic and 9 normal women whose body composition and regional fat distribution were determined. [1-14C]Leucine and [3-3H]glucose were infused in the postabsorptive state and during an euglycemic hyperinsulinemic (35-40 microU/mL) clamp combined with indirect calorimetry for assessment of leucine flux, oxidation, and nonoxidative disposal, glucose turnover and oxidation, and lipid oxidation. Fat-free mass (FFM) was estimated by a bolus of 3H2O. Subcutaneous abdominal and visceral adipose tissues were determined by nuclear magnetic resonance imaging. During the clamp, obese women had lower glucose turnover (4.51 +/- 0.41 vs. 6.63 +/- 0.40 mg/min.kg FFM; P < 0.05), with a defect in both oxidation (3.27 +/- 0.22 vs. 3.89 +/- 0.21) and nonoxidative disposal (1.24 +/- 0.27 vs. 2.74 +/- 0.41; P < 0.005), whereas lipid oxidation was higher during the clamp (0.49 +/- 0.15 vs. 0.17 +/- 0.09 mg/min.kg FFM). There was no difference in leucine flux (basal, 2.23 +/- 0.17 vs. 2.30 +/- 0.29; clamp, 2.06 +/- 0.19 vs. 2.10 +/- 0.24 mumol/min.kg FFM), oxidation (basal, 0.37 +/- 0.04 vs. 0.36 +/- 0.05; clamp, 0.34 +/- 0.04 vs. 0.39 +/- 0.06) and nonoxidative leucine disposal (basal, 1.86 +/- 0.17 vs. 1.94 +/- 0.26; clamp, 1.72 +/- 0.20 vs. 1.71 +/- 0.19) in the two groups. In obese women, basal leucine oxidation was directly related with glucose oxidation and inversely to lipid oxidation (both P < 0.05), whereas visceral adipose tissue was inversely related to leucine flux both in the basal state and during the clamp (P < 0.05). In conclusion, in human obesity, 1) rates of protein metabolism in the basal state and in the range of insulin concentrations encountered after a meal are normal; 2) protein oxidation is positively related to glucose oxidation and negatively related to lipid oxidation; and 3) visceral adipose tissue is inversely related to all parameters of protein metabolism.

Adipose Tissue↗

Glycosaminoglycans delay the progression of nephropathy in NIDDM.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of oral administration of glycosaminoglycans on metabolic control and albumin excretion rate (AER) in NIDDM patients with increased urinary albumin excretion. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Twelve NIDDM hypertensive patients (age 52 +/- 3 years, HbA1c 7.7 +/- 0.2%) on antihypertensive treatment were enrolled in a double-blind placebo-controlled study, assuming either placebo or sulodexide (100 mg/day) for 4 months; at the end of this period, a crossover was performed. We have evaluated routine biochemical parameters plus AER and coagulative function every 2 months. RESULTS: Both plasma fibrinogen (from 4.15 +/- 0.32 to 2.77 +/- 0.47 mmol/l) and AER (from 128.3 +/- 40.6 to 39.6 +/- 11.9 micrograms/min) decreased significantly after treatment with glycosaminoglycans in respect to placebo; moreover, blood pressure control ameliorated, also in the absence of any variation of therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Glycosaminoglycan therapy, likely in association with a satisfactory control of blood pressure values, seems to prevent the progression of diabetic nephropathy in NIDDM.

Administration, Oral↗

Intracellular calcium handling by fibroblasts from non-insulin dependent diabetic patients with and without hypertension and microalbuminuria.

Intracellular calcium ([(Ca2+)i]) plays a role in many cellular functions, and is involved in the pathogenesis of some conditions observed in non-insulin dependent diabetic patients (NIDDM), such as hypertension and insulin resistance. Hyperinsulinemia and hyperglycemia are also implicated in the pathogenesis of chronic diabetes complications. It is not clear whether disturbances in [(Ca2+)i] are accounted for only by metabolic abnormalities of diabetes or by other mechanisms. The aim of this study was to investigate [(Ca2+)i] handling by skin fibroblasts in NIDDM patients with similar features regarding diabetes duration and metabolic control, but who differ concerning blood pressure levels and albumin excretion rate. Using a fluorimetric technique with the indicator Fura-2/ AM, we investigated the effect of chronic exposure to insulin and glucose on [(Ca2+)i] after FGF stimulation in fibroblasts from NIDDM with hypertension alone (NIDDM H+M-) and with hypertension and microalbuminuria (NIDDM H+M+) in comparison with normotensive normoalbuminuric NIDDM (NIDDM H-M-) and control subjects (C). We studied also a group of hypertensive non-diabetic subjects (HYPER). We found that (1) FGF increases [(Ca2+)i] in all subjects; (2) insulin or high glucose per se increase [(Ca2+)i] in NIDDM H+M+ and NIDDM H+M- with respect to NIDDM H-M- and C; (3) HYPER show a [(Ca2+)i] response similar to that of NIDDM H+M- and NIDDM H+M+; (4) when stimuli are combined, all NIDDM have altered [(Ca2+)i] with respect to C, but NIDDM H+M-, NIDDM H+M+ and HYPER have higher values than NIDDM H-M-. This disorder in [(Ca2+)i] appears to be an intrinsic feature of a subgroup of hypertensive NIDDM patients, which persists in cultured cells, at least partially independent of the metabolic challenge of diabetes in vivo, and could contribute to the development of their renal and cardiovascular complications.

Albuminuria↗

Insulin sensitivity is not impaired in Mexican-American women without a family history of diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this research was to compare insulin sensitivity in Mexican-Americans and non-Hispanic whites without a family history of diabetes to establish whether insulin resistance is a defect intrinsically related to subjects of Mexican origin. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: In study A, we compared insulin sensitivity in 12 Mexican-American and 12 non-Hispanic white women with normal glucose tolerance and no family history of diabetes. In study B, we compared insulin sensitivity in two groups of normal glucose-tolerant Mexican-Americans, nine with a positive (FHD+) and nine with a negative (FHD-) family history of diabetes. In both studies, the groups were closely matched for age, total body fat content, and fat topography. Insulin sensitivity was assessed with the euglycemic insulin clamp (20 microU.min-1.m2 surface area) which was performed in combination with tritiated glucose infusion and indirect calorimetry. Total fat mass and fat-free mass (FFM) were assessed by a tritiated water dilution technique, and regional fat distribution was evaluated by anthropometry and magnetic resonance imaging. RESULTS: During a 4-h euglycemic insulin clamp (study A), rates (mg.min-1.kg FFM-1) of total (6.32 +/- 0.64 vs. 6.62 +/- 0.81), oxidative (3.54 +/- 0.24 vs. 3.51 +/- 0.19), and nonoxidative (2.78 +/- 0.48 vs. 3.11 +/- 0.75) glucose utilization were similar in Mexican-Americans and non-Hispanic whites; hepatic glucose production (0.33 +/- 0.13 vs. 0.35 +/- 0.13) was suppressed similarly in both groups. During a 2-h euglycemic insulin clamp (study B), Mexican-Americans with FHD+ had lower rates of insulin-mediated total (3.55 +/- 0.39 vs. 5.93 +/- 0.59, P < 0.001), oxidative (3.31 +/- 0.25 vs. 4.32 +/- 0.17, P < 0.01), and nonoxidative (0.24 +/- 0.28 vs. 1.61 +/- 0.49, P < 0.01) glucose disposal than subjects with FHD-; suppression of hepatic glucose production (0.24 +/- 0.14 vs. 0.18 +/- 0.12) was similar in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that in the absence of a family history of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, Mexican-American women are not less sensitive to insulin than non-Hispanic white women.

Adipose Tissue↗

Peripheral, rather than hepatic, insulin resistance and atherogenic lipoprotein phenotype predict cardiovascular complications in NIDDM.

Microalbuminuria, hypertension and hyperinsulinaemia are three independent risk factors for cardiac disease in non insulin-dependent diabetes (NIDDM). However, it is unknown to what extent hyperinsulinaemia reflects resistance to insulin action at hepatic, extrahepatic or at both sites. A cross-sectional study from our Department showed that peripheral insulin resistance, hypertension, microalbuminuria and lipid abnormalities are associated in NIDDM. Non diabetic individuals with the so-called 'atherogenic lipoprotein phenotype', characterized by small dense low density lipoproteins (LDL subclass pattern B) have up to 3-fold higher risk of myocardial infarction. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether impaired peripheral insulin sensitivity, during euglycaemic-hyperinsulinaemic clamp, as well as abnormalities in lipid concentrations and LDL size, predict abnormalities in albumin excretion rate, blood pressure and cardiac function in 73 consecutive normotensive (< 85 mmHg diastolic level) and normoalbuminuric (< 15 micrograms min-1 daily albumin excretion rate) NIDDM patients. These patients showed a bimodal distribution of whole body glucose utilization rate, a parameter of peripheral insulin sensitivity. The cut-off point between the two modes of distribution was located close to the mean value minus one standard deviation in a population of 24 control subjects. Therefore, this latter value was used to identify two subgroups inside the overall population of NIDDM patients, i.e. 28 patients (group 1), with whole body glucose utilization rate, above, and 45 patients (group 2), below, the mean value minus 1 SD in the 24 controls.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

Lipoprotein abnormalities in non-insulin-dependent diabetic patients with impaired extrahepatic insulin sensitivity, hypertension, and microalbuminuria.

We investigated whether specific lipoprotein abnormalities are present in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) patients with hypertension and/or microalbuminuria. Fifteen normotensive normoalbuminuric (H-M-), 32 hypertensive normoalbuminuric (H+M-), and 22 hypertensive microalbuminuric (H+M+) NIDDM patients and 20 sex-, age-, and weight-matched nondiabetic control subjects were studied. Lipoprotein size was measured by nondenaturing polyacrylamide gradient gel electrophoresis; insulin sensitivity was assessed by using a euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp and [6,6(2)H]glucose tracer infusion for simultaneous measurement of hepatic glucose output and whole-body glucose utilization. Total plasma and very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were higher in H+M+ than in control subjects (5.84 +/- 0.98 versus 4.97 +/- 0.98 and 0.57 +/- 0.54 versus 0.26 +/- 0.21 mmol/L, mean +/- SD, P < .05). Plasma triglycerides were higher in H+M+ than in either control or H-M- subjects (2.17 +/- 1.32 versus 1.18 +/- 0.67 and 1.30 +/- 0.59 mmol/L, respectively; P < .05). The mean low-density lipoprotein diameter was 27.2 +/- 0.8 in control, 26.7 +/- 0.8 in H-M-, 26.5 +/- 0.8 nm in H+M- (P < .05 versus control subjects), and 26.0 +/- 0.8 nm in H+M+ subjects (P < .05 versus control subjects). The mean cholesterol level of the large high-density lipoprotein particles was lower in H+M- and H+M+ (0.37 +/- 0.14 and 0.36 +/- 0.16 mmol/L) than in control and H-M- (0.54 +/- 0.41 and 0.54 +/- 0.27 mmol/L, P < .05) subjects.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Albuminuria↗

Impaired insulin-induced glucose uptake by extrahepatic tissue is hallmark of NIDDM patients who have or will develop hypertension and microalbuminuria.

Insulin resistance may be a mechanism linking non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) to hypertension and cardiovascular mortality. Microalbuminuria also is an independent risk factor of cardiovascular mortality and of hypertension. Little information is available in the literature on the relationship between microalbuminuria and insulin action. This study investigated the relationships between blood pressure (BP) levels, microalbuminuria, and insulin resistance in NIDDM patients. Seventy-five NIDDM patients attending the outpatient clinic of the Department of Internal Medicine of the University Hospital in Padua, Italy participated in the cross-sectional part of our study. These subjects were divided into four groups on the basis of BP levels and albumin excretion rate (AER): 28 normotensive normoalbuminuric (NIDDM1), 19 hypertensive normoalbuminuric (NIDDM2), 15 normotensive microalbuminuric (NIDDM3), and 13 hypertensive microalbuminuric patients (NIDDM4). We defined microalbuminuria as an AER > 20 micrograms/min. Patients with BP levels > 145/90 mmHg were considered hypertensive. A group of 20 normal subjects served as control subjects. The results from the cross-sectional study indicate that the mean of insulin-induced whole-body glucose utilization, primarily an index of extrahepatic insulin action, was lower at all insulin infusion steps in the group of hypertensive and/or microalbuminuric patients than in the group of normotensive normoalbuminuric patients and control subjects. Hepatic glucose output, an index of insulin action in the liver, was on average less efficiently inhibited in all of the patients than in the control subjects, regardless of the BP levels or the AER.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

Role of hyperglycemia and insulin resistance in determining sodium retention in non-insulin-dependent diabetes.

Sodium retention has been advocated to give rise to hypertension in humans. Increases in blood glucose and insulin concentrations ensue in the stimulation of sodium reabsorption by the kidney. Although the combined occurrence of hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia, frequently secondary to insulin resistance with regard to carbohydrate metabolism, is a hallmark of non-insulin dependent diabetes (NIDDM), the role of these abnormalities in determining an impaired natriuresis in NIDDM is not yet fully understood. We studied sodium homeostasis in 14 control subjects and 59 NIDDM normotensive, normoalbuminuric patients who were divided into two groups with markedly impaired (Group 2 NIDDM: 30) and less severely impaired (Group 1 NIDDM: 29) insulin sensitivity during euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic (80 to 90 microU/ml plasma insulin) clamp. A hyperglycemic (9 mmol/liter plasma glucose)--nearly euinsulinemic (20 to 40 microU/ml plasma insulin) clamp was also performed in the same 14 controls and in two cohorts of 22 Group 2 and 17 Group 1 NIDDM patients. The two groups of patients had similar overnight fasting glucose levels (Group 1 NIDDM vs. Group 2 NIDDM: 176 +/- 13 vs. 185 +/- 15 mg/dl, mean +/- SE). Conversely, overnight fasting plasma insulin was significantly higher in Group 2 NIDDM than in Group 1 NIDDM patients (Group 1 NIDDM vs. Group 2 NIDDM: 12 +/- 3 vs. 18 +/- 3 microU/ml, P < 0.05). Both NIDDM Groups had higher plasma glucose and insulin than controls (75 +/- 4 mg/dl and 6 +/- 3 microU/ml). Blood pressure levels and albumin excretion rates were slightly but significantly higher in Group 2 NIDDM, but not in Group 1 NIDDM patients, than in controls.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

Effects of physiological hyperinsulinemia on the intracellular metabolic partition of plasma glucose.

Methodology for assessing the glycolytic and oxidative fluxes from plasma glucose, by measuring 3H2O and 14CO2 rates of production during [3-3H]- and [U-14C]glucose infusion, was tested in healthy subjects. In study 1, during staircase 3H2O infusion in six subjects, calculated rates of 3H2O appearance agreed closely with 3H2O infusion rates. In study 2, when [2-3H]glucose and NaH14CO3 were infused in four subjects in the basal state and during a 4-h euglycemic insulin (approximately 70 microU/ml) clamp, accurate estimates of the rates of [2-3H]glucose detritiation were obtained (94-97% of the expected values), and the recovery factor of NaH14CO3 did not change during hyperinsulinemia. In study 3, 11 subjects underwent a 4-h euglycemic insulin (approximately 70 microU/ml) clamp with [3-3H]- and [U-14C]glucose infusion and measurement of gaseous exchanges by indirect calorimetry to estimate the rates of total glycolysis, glycogen synthesis, glucose oxidation, nonoxidative glycolysis, hepatic glucose production, glucose recycling, and glucose conversion to fat. Hyperinsulinemia stimulated glycogen synthesis above baseline more than glycolysis [increment of 4.78 +/- 0.37 vs. 2.0 +/- 0.17 mg.min-1 x kg-1 of lean body mass (LBM), respectively, P < 0.01] and incompletely suppressed (approximately 87%) hepatic glucose production. The major component of nonoxidative glycolysis shifted from glucose recycling in the postabsorptive state (approximately 57% of nonoxidative glycolysis) to glucose conversion to fat during hyperinsulinemia (approximately 59% of nonoxidative glycolysis). Lipid oxidation during the insulin clamp was negatively correlated with both isotopic glucose oxidation (r = -0.822, P < 0.002) and glycolysis (r = -0.582, P < 0.07). In conclusion, in healthy subjects, glycogen synthesis plays a greater role than glycolysis and glucose oxidation in determining insulin-mediated glucose disposal. Part of insulin-mediated increase in glycolysis/oxidation might be secondary to the relief of the competition between fat and glucose for oxidation.

Adult↗

Characterization of cellular defects of insulin action in type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus.

Seven non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) patients participated in three clamp studies performed with [3-3H]- and [U-14C]glucose and indirect calorimetry: study I, euglycemic (5.2 +/- 0.1 mM) insulin (269 +/- 39 pM) clamp; study II, hyperglycemic (14.9 +/- 1.2 mM) insulin (259 +/- 19 pM) clamp; study III, euglycemic (5.5 +/- 0.3 mM) hyperinsulinemic (1650 +/- 529 pM) clamp. Seven control subjects received a euglycemic (5.1 +/- 0.2 mM) insulin (258 +/- 24 pM) clamp. Glycolysis and glucose oxidation were quantitated from the rate of appearance of 3H2O and 14CO2; glycogen synthesis was calculated as the difference between body glucose disposal and glycolysis. In study I, glucose uptake was decreased by 54% in NIDDM vs. controls. Glycolysis, glycogen synthesis, and glucose oxidation were reduced in NIDDM patients (P < 0.05-0.001). Nonoxidative glycolysis and lipid oxidation were higher. In studies II and III, glucose uptake in NIDDM was equal to controls (40.7 +/- 2.1 and 40.7 +/- 1.7 mumol/min.kg fat-free mass, respectively). In study II, glycolysis, but not glucose oxidation, was normal (P < 0.01 vs. controls). Nonoxidative glycolysis remained higher (P < 0.05). Glycogen deposition increased (P < 0.05 vs. study I), and lipid oxidation remained higher (P < 0.01). In study III, hyperinsulinemia normalized glycogen formation, glycolysis, and lipid oxidation but did not normalize the elevated nonoxidative glycolysis or the decreased glucose oxidation. Lipid oxidation and glycolysis (r = -0.65; P < 0.01), and glucose oxidation (r = -0.75; P < 0.01) were inversely correlated. In conclusion, in NIDDM: (a) insulin resistance involves glycolysis, glycogen synthesis, and glucose oxidation; (b) hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia can normalize total body glucose uptake; (c) marked hyperinsulinemia normalizes glycogen synthesis and total flux through glycolysis, but does not restore a normal distribution between oxidation and nonoxidative glycolysis; (d) hyperglycemia cannot overcome the defects in glucose oxidation and nonoxidative glycolysis; (e) lipid oxidation is elevated and is suppressed only with hyperinsulinemia.

Adult↗

In vivo glucose metabolism in obese and type II diabetic subjects with or without hypertension.

This study examined whether the presence of hypertension, an insulin-resistant condition, exacerbates the defect in insulin action observed in obesity and type II diabetes mellitus. Glucose metabolism in the basal state and in response to insulin was quantitated by using the euglycemic insulin (20 mU.min-1 x m-2) clamp in combination with 3-[3H]glucose infusion and indirect calorimetry in 20 obese nondiabetic subjects (10 hypertensive and 10 normotensive), 26 type II diabetic subjects (13 hypertensive and 13 normotensive), and 11 normal nondiabetic subjects. The two groups of obese subjects and the two groups of diabetic subjects were matched for sex, age, race, body mass index, and fat distribution. Both in the basal state and during insulin infusion, glucose disposal rates (total, oxidative, and nonoxidative) were similar in obese subjects with or without hypertension. Compared with control subjects, both groups of obese subjects were markedly insulin resistant. Similarly, type II diabetic individuals, whether normotensive or hypertensive, were equally insulin resistant. The severity of insulin resistance was nearly identical in obese and diabetic groups. In diabetic subjects, the inhibitory effect of insulin on hepatic glucose output, lipolysis, and lipid oxidation was blunted compared with normal subjects. In obese subjects the ability of insulin to inhibit lipolysis and lipid oxidation was impaired. However, hypertension did not alter the suppressive effects of insulin on hepatic glucose production, plasma free fatty acid levels, or lipid oxidation in either obese or type II diabetic subjects. These results indicate that hypertension does not confer a greater severity of insulin resistance than that already is present in obesity and type II diabetes mellitus.

Adipose Tissue↗

Lower limb arterio-venous shunts, autonomic neuropathy and diabetic foot.

We have quantitatively assessed the percentage of lower limb arterio-venous (a-v) shunting using a radioisotopic technique and correlated it with autonomic neuropathy evaluated by cardiovascular tests. We have studied three groups of diabetic patients: Group A, 12 non-neuropathic subjects without foot lesions; Group B, 12 neuropathic subjects without foot lesions; Group C, 12 neuropathic subjects with recurrent foot ulcers. Shunting was higher in Group C (10.4 +/- 2.7%) than in Group B (6.8 +/- 2.3%, P less than 0.01) and Group A (3.8 +/- 1.2%, P less than 0.001). Shunts in Group B were higher than in Group A (P less than 0.05). All the tests exploring autonomic function were more impaired in Groups B and C than in Group A, with no difference between Groups B and C. A direct correlation was found between a-v shunting and the following cardiovascular tests: postural hypotension (PH) (r = 0.41, P less than 0.02), sustained handgrip (SH) (r = 0.56, P less than 0.001), deep breathing (DB) (r = 0.40, P less than 0.005) and lying to standing (LS) (r = 0.44, P less than 0.01). A positive correlation was also found between a-v shunts and duration of the disease (r = 0.62, P less than 0.001). Arterio-venous shunting was found to be directly related to autonomic neuropathy even if the higher shunting found in the patients with foot ulcers was not related to a higher degree of autonomic involvement; in addition, this group of patients was characterized by having a more advanced sensory and motor neuropathy. In conclusion, autonomic neuropathy, through its influence on a-v shunts, may play a role in the pathogenesis of diabetic foot, but peripheral neuropathy probably plays a key role in conditioning the development of the overt clinical manifestations of diabetic foot.

Albuminuria↗

Glucose and amino acid metabolism in chronic renal failure: effect of insulin and amino acids.

The effects of hyperinsulinemia and hyperaminoacidemia on glucose and amino acid metabolism were examined in 16 control and 13 chronic renal failure (CRF) patients under two conditions: 1) euglycemic hyperinsulinemia and 2) amino acid infusion. All studies were performed with continuous indirect calorimetry and [1-14C]leucine infusion. In CRF patients insulin-mediated whole body glucose metabolism was reduced by 35% (4.41 +/- 0.50 vs. 6.76 +/- 0.73 mg.kg-1.min-1, P less than 0.01), primarily due to a decrease in nonoxidative glucose disposal (1.70 +/- 0.70 vs. 4.32 +/- 0.60 mg.kg-1.min-1, P less than 0.01); glucose oxidation was similar in both groups. In the postabsorptive state total leucine turnover (1.56 +/- 0.06 vs. 1.75 +/- 0.06), leucine oxidation (0.25 +/- 0.01 vs. 0.30 +/- 0.01), and nonoxidative leucine disposal (1.29 +/- 0.06 vs. 1.40 +/- 0.07 mumol.kg-1.min-1) were reduced in CRF vs. control subjects (all P less than 0.05). In response to hyperinsulinemia, endogenous leucine flux (index of proteolysis), leucine oxidation, nonoxidative leucine disposal (NOLD) (index of protein synthesis), and net leucine flux into protein were similar in CRF and control subjects. In contrast, the ability of hyperaminoacidemia to enhance NOLD (1.54 +/- 0.11 vs. 2.10 +/- 0.10 mumol.kg-1.min-1, P less than 0.01) and net leucine balance (0.27 +/- 0.05 vs. 0.41 +/- 0.05, P less than 0.05) was reduced in CRF patients.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

Close relationship between microalbuminuria and insulin resistance in essential hypertension and non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus.

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships among insulin resistance and albumin excretion rate in 25 nondiabetic patients with essential hypertension and in 28 patients with non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). Two groups of healthy subjects matched for age, sex, and weight served as controls. Patients with essential hypertension were divided into two subgroups: without (H1) and with (H2) microalbuminuria. Diabetic patients were divided into four subgroups: those with normoalbuminuria without (NIDDM1) and with (NIDDM2) hypertension and those with microalbuminuria without (NIDDM3) and with (NIDDM4) hypertension. Whole-body glucose utilization during euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp (40 mU/m2/min insulin infusion) was calculated by tracer dilution techniques (6,6 2H2 glucose tracer continuous infusion) and was significantly lower in hypertensives with microalbuminuria than in those without (H2 versus H1 versus controls: 3.41 +/- 0.51 versus 6.52 +/- 0.62 versus 7.03 +/- 0.48 mg/kg/min; mean +/- SE). Whole-body glucose utilization in NIDDM patients--NIDDM4 versus NIDDM3 versus NIDDM2 versus NIDDM1 versus controls--was: 1.86 +/- 0.31 versus 2.21 +/- 0.39 versus 2.01 +/- 0.40 versus 5.98 +/- 0.77 versus 5.52 +/- 0.92 mg/kg/min (mean +/- SE). Whereas the first three subgroups did not differ among themselves, they had significantly lower glucose utilization than did the normotensive NIDDM1 patients without microalbuminuria and nondiabetic controls (P < 0.01). Hypertensives with microalbuminuria had higher Vmax of sodium-lithium countertransport (Na/Li CTT) in red blood cells than did both hypertensives without microalbuminuria and controls. It was also observed that NIDDM patients with microalbuminuria had higher Vmax of Na/Li CTT than did NIDDM patients without microalbuminuria and controls.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Albuminuria↗

Total body fat content and fat topography are associated differently with in vivo glucose metabolism in nonobese and obese nondiabetic women.

In this study, total body fat content and fat topography were related to glucose metabolism in the basal and insulin-stimulated states in 18 nonobese and 18 obese premenopausal nondiabetic women. All subjects received a euglycemic insulin (20 mU.min-1.m2) clamp study in combination with [3-3H]-D-glucose infusion and indirect calorimetry to quantitate total body glucose uptake, glucose oxidation, and nonoxidative glucose disposal. Total body fat content was determined with tritiated water, whereas body fat distribution was estimated from the WHR, the STR, and the VSR (measured by magnetic resonance imaging). In the postabsorptive state, total body glucose utilization, glucose oxidation, and nonoxidative glucose disposal rates were similar in nonobese and obese women, whereas during the insulin clamp all three metabolic parameters were reduced significantly in the obese group. In nonobese women, total body fat content was related inversely to both total and nonoxidative glucose disposal during the insulin clamp, whereas no relationship was found between glucose metabolism (total, oxidative, and nonoxidative) and WHR, STR, or VSR. In contrast, in obese women, no relationship was observed between total body fat content and any measure of insulin-mediated glucose metabolism. However, both WHR and VSR were related inversely to total, oxidative, and nonoxidative glucose disposal rates during the insulin clamp. These results suggest that total body fat content and body fat topography are associated differently with insulin-mediated glucose metabolism in nonobese and obese women. In the nonobese women, total body fat mass appears to be a primary determinant of tissue sensitivity to insulin, whereas in obese women, body fat topography exerts a more dominant effect.

Adipose Tissue↗

Automated percutaneous lumbar diskectomy according to the Onik method: conclusive considerations.

The Onik method of automated percutaneous diskectomy in the treatment of the herniated lumbar disk offers undeniable advantages which we have already elaborated in our preliminary studies. Nevertheless, further experience with this technique has allowed us to pinpoint several aspects worthy of more attention: patient selection and long-term results. The patient selection procedure must follow Maroon and Onik's original protocol to the letter in order to single out those patients in whom contained disk herniation has caused actual sciatic pain and not merely low back pain. Imaging tests such as CT scan, MRI, and myelography have proved useful mainly in identifying contraindications for the technique, while only intraoperative diskography has been capable of diagnosing the contained status of the disk herniation, the basic criterion for selection. We reviewed 98 automated percutaneous lumbar diskectomies after a follow-up period ranging from 6 months to 2 1/2 years and found the results to be satisfactory, in spite of a slight deterioration of the good results at 6-9 months, following which there was no further change.

Adult↗