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Biomedical subjects

G I Shulman

Publications and source records attributed to G I Shulman.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Impaired insulin sensitivity among nondiabetic patients with a recent TIA or ischemic stroke.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of impaired insulin sensitivity among nondiabetic patients with a recent TIA or nondisabling ischemic stroke. METHODS: Eligible subjects were nondiabetic men and women over age 45 years who were hospitalized with a TIA or ischemic stroke. To measure insulin sensitivity, subjects underwent an oral glucose tolerance test between 2 and 6 months after their event. Impaired insulin sensitivity was defined by a value of < or =2.5 on the Composite Insulin Sensitivity Index derived from insulin and glucose values during the test. RESULTS: Between July 2000 and June 2001, we identified 177 eligible patients, among whom 105 declined to participate and 72 enrolled. The median age of participants was 71 years and 46 (64%) were men. The baseline event was stroke for 57 subjects (79%). A history of myocardial infarction (MI) was reported by 14 subjects (19%), and 16 (22%) were obese (body mass index > 30). Fasting glucose was normal (<110 mg/dL) for 58 (80%) participants and impaired (110 to 125 mg/dL) for 14 (20%). Among 72 participants, the median insulin sensitivity index value was 2.6 (range 0.9 to 10.2). The prevalence of impaired insulin sensitivity was 36 of 72 (50%, 95% CI 38% to 62%). Impaired insulin sensitivity was more prevalent among younger patients and patients with obesity, lacunar stroke etiology, and disability (Rankin grade >1). CONCLUSION: Impaired insulin sensitivity is highly prevalent among nondiabetic patients with a recent TIA or nondisabling ischemic stroke. This finding has important therapeutic implications if treatment to improve insulin sensitivity is shown to reduce risk for subsequent stroke and heart disease.

Aged↗

Cellular mechanism of insulin resistance: potential links with inflammation.

Insulin resistance is a pivotal feature in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes, and it may be detected 10-20 y before the clinical onset of hyperglycemia. Insulin resistance is due to the reduced ability of peripheral target tissues to respond properly to insulin stimulation. In particular, impaired insulin-stimulated muscle glycogen synthesis plays a significant role in insulin resistance. Glucose transport (GLUT4), phosphorylation (hexokinase) and storage (glycogen synthase) are the three potential rate-controlling steps regulating insulin-stimulated muscle glucose metabolism, and all three have been implicated as being the major defects responsible for causing insulin resistance in patients with type 2 diabetes. Using (13)C/(31)P magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), we demonstrate that a defect in insulin-stimulated muscle glucose transport activity is the rate-controlling defect. Using a similar (13)C/(31)P MRS approach, we have also demonstrated that fatty acids cause insulin resistance in humans due to a decrease in insulin-stimulated muscle glucose transport activity, which could be attributed to reduced insulin-stimulated IRS-1-associated phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase activity, a required step in insulin-stimulated glucose transport into muscle. Furthermore, we have recently proposed that this defect in insulin-stimulated muscle glucose transport activity may be due to the activation of a serine kinase cascade involving protein kinase C theta and IKK-beta, which are key downstream mediators of tissue inflammation. Finally, we propose that any perturbation that leads to an increase in intramyocellular lipid (fatty acid metabolites) content such as acquired or inherited defects in mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation, defects in adipocyte fat metabolism or simply increased fat delivery to muscle/liver due to increased energy intake will lead to insulin resistance through this final common pathway. Understanding these key cellular mechanisms of insulin resistance should help elucidate new targets for treating type 2 diabetes.

Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2↗

Free fatty acids in obesity and type 2 diabetes: defining their role in the development of insulin resistance and beta-cell dysfunction.

Plasma free fatty acids (FFA) play important physiological roles in skeletal muscle, heart, liver and pancreas. However, chronically elevated plasma FFA appear to have pathophysiological consequences. Elevated FFA concentrations are linked with the onset of peripheral and hepatic insulin resistance and, while the precise action in the liver remains unclear, a model to explain the role of raised FFA in the development of skeletal muscle insulin resistance has recently been put forward. Over 30 years ago, Randle proposed that FFA compete with glucose as the major energy substrate in cardiac muscle, leading to decreased glucose oxidation when FFA are elevated. Recent data indicate that high plasma FFA also have a significant role in contributing to insulin resistance. Elevated FFA and intracellular lipid appear to inhibit insulin signalling, leading to a reduction in insulin-stimulated muscle glucose transport that may be mediated by a decrease in GLUT-4 translocation. The resulting suppression of muscle glucose transport leads to reduced muscle glycogen synthesis and glycolysis. In the liver, elevated FFA may contribute to hyperglycaemia by antagonizing the effects of insulin on endogenous glucose production. FFA also affect insulin secretion, although the nature of this relationship remains a subject for debate. Finally, evidence is discussed that FFA represent a crucial link between insulin resistance and beta-cell dysfunction and, as such, a reduction in elevated plasma FFA should be an important therapeutic target in obesity and type 2 diabetes.

Animals↗

AICAR and phlorizin reverse the hypoglycemia-specific defect in glucagon secretion in the diabetic BB rat.

Individuals with type 1 diabetes demonstrate a hypoglycemia-specific defect in glucagon secretion. To determine whether intraislet hyperinsulinemia plays a role in the genesis of this defect, glucagon-secretory responses to moderate hypoglycemia induced by either insulin or a novel combination of the noninsulin glucose-lowering agents 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide (AICAR) and phlorizin were compared in diabetic BB rats (an animal model of type 1 diabetes) and nondiabetic BB rats. The phlorizin-AICAR combination was able to induce moderate and equivalent hypoglycemia in both diabetic and nondiabetic BB rats in the absence of marked hyperinsulinemia. Diabetic BB rats demonstrated impaired glucagon and epinephrine responses during insulin-induced hypoglycemia compared with nondiabetic rats. In contrast, both glucagon (9- to 10-fold increase) and epinephrine (5- to 6-fold increase) responses were markedly improved during phlorizin-AICAR hypoglycemia. Combining phlorizin, AICAR, and insulin attenuated the glucagon response to hypoglycemia by 70% in the diabetic BB rat. Phlorizin plus AICAR had no effect on counterregulatory hormones under euglycemic conditions. We conclude that alpha-cell glucagon secretion in response to hypoglycemia is not defective if intraislet hyperinsulinemia is prevented. This suggests that exogenous insulin plays a pivotal role in the etiology of this defect.

Aminoimidazole Carboxamide↗

Functional inactivation of the IGF-I and insulin receptors in skeletal muscle causes type 2 diabetes.

Peripheral insulin resistance and impaired insulin action are the primary characteristics of type 2 diabetes. The first observable defect in this major disorder occurs in muscle, where glucose disposal in response to insulin is impaired. We have developed a transgenic mouse with a dominant-negative insulin-like growth factor-I receptor (KR-IGF-IR) specifically targeted to the skeletal muscle. Expression of KR-IGF-IR resulted in the formation of hybrid receptors between the mutant and the endogenous IGF-I and insulin receptors, thereby abrogating the normal function of these receptors and leading to insulin resistance. Pancreatic beta-cell dysfunction developed at a relative early age, resulting in diabetes. These mice provide an excellent model to study the molecular mechanisms underlying the development of human type 2 diabetes.

Aging↗

Uncoupling protein-2 negatively regulates insulin secretion and is a major link between obesity, beta cell dysfunction, and type 2 diabetes.

beta cells sense glucose through its metabolism and the resulting increase in ATP, which subsequently stimulates insulin secretion. Uncoupling protein-2 (UCP2) mediates mitochondrial proton leak, decreasing ATP production. In the present study, we assessed UCP2's role in regulating insulin secretion. UCP2-deficient mice had higher islet ATP levels and increased glucose-stimulated insulin secretion, establishing that UCP2 negatively regulates insulin secretion. Of pathophysiologic significance, UCP2 was markedly upregulated in islets of ob/ob mice, a model of obesity-induced diabetes. Importantly, ob/ob mice lacking UCP2 had restored first-phase insulin secretion, increased serum insulin levels, and greatly decreased levels of glycemia. These results establish UCP2 as a key component of beta cell glucose sensing, and as a critical link between obesity, beta cell dysfunction, and type 2 diabetes.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Tissue-specific overexpression of lipoprotein lipase causes tissue-specific insulin resistance.

Insulin resistance in skeletal muscle and liver may play a primary role in the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus, and the mechanism by which insulin resistance occurs may be related to alterations in fat metabolism. Transgenic mice with muscle- and liver-specific overexpression of lipoprotein lipase were studied during a 2-h hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp to determine the effect of tissue-specific increase in fat on insulin action and signaling. Muscle-lipoprotein lipase mice had a 3-fold increase in muscle triglyceride content and were insulin resistant because of decreases in insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in skeletal muscle and insulin activation of insulin receptor substrate-1-associated phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase activity. In contrast, liver-lipoprotein lipase mice had a 2-fold increase in liver triglyceride content and were insulin resistant because of impaired ability of insulin to suppress endogenous glucose production associated with defects in insulin activation of insulin receptor substrate-2-associated phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase activity. These defects in insulin action and signaling were associated with increases in intracellular fatty acid-derived metabolites (i.e., diacylglycerol, fatty acyl CoA, ceramides). Our findings suggest a direct and causative relationship between the accumulation of intracellular fatty acid-derived metabolites and insulin resistance mediated via alterations in the insulin signaling pathway, independent of circulating adipocyte-derived hormones.

Animals↗

Insulin resistance and a diabetes mellitus-like syndrome in mice lacking the protein kinase Akt2 (PKB beta).

Glucose homeostasis depends on insulin responsiveness in target tissues, most importantly, muscle and liver. The critical initial steps in insulin action include phosphorylation of scaffolding proteins and activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase. These early events lead to activation of the serine-threonine protein kinase Akt, also known as protein kinase B. We show that mice deficient in Akt2 are impaired in the ability of insulin to lower blood glucose because of defects in the action of the hormone on liver and skeletal muscle. These data establish Akt2 as an essential gene in the maintenance of normal glucose homeostasis.

Animals↗

Overexpression of the LAR (leukocyte antigen-related) protein-tyrosine phosphatase in muscle causes insulin resistance.

Previous reports indicate that the expression and/or activity of the protein-tyrosine phosphatase (PTP) LAR are increased in insulin-responsive tissues of obese, insulin-resistant humans and rodents, but it is not known whether these alterations contribute to the pathogenesis of insulin resistance. To address this question, we generated transgenic mice that overexpress human LAR, specifically in muscle, to levels comparable to those reported in insulin-resistant humans. In LAR-transgenic mice, fasting plasma insulin was increased 2.5-fold compared with wild-type controls, whereas fasting glucose was normal. Whole-body glucose disposal and glucose uptake into muscle in vivo were reduced by 39-50%. Insulin injection resulted in normal tyrosyl phosphorylation of the insulin receptor and insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS-1) in muscle of transgenic mice. However, phosphorylation of IRS-2 was reduced by 62%, PI3' kinase activity associated with phosphotyrosine, IRS-1, or IRS-2 was reduced by 34-57%, and association of p85alpha with both IRS proteins was reduced by 39-52%. Thus, overexpression of LAR in muscle causes whole-body insulin resistance, most likely due to dephosphorylation of specific regulatory phosphotyrosines on IRS proteins. Our data suggest that increased expression and/or activity of LAR or related PTPs in insulin target tissues of obese humans may contribute to the pathogenesis of insulin resistance.

Animals↗

In vivo effects of uncoupling protein-3 gene disruption on mitochondrial energy metabolism.

To clarify the role of uncoupling protein-3 (UCP3) in skeletal muscle, we used NMR and isotopic labeling experiments to evaluate the effect of UCP3 knockout (UCP3KO) in mice on the regulation of energy metabolism in vivo. Whole body energy expenditure was determined from the turnover of doubly labeled body water. Coupling of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation in skeletal muscle was evaluated from measurements of rates of ATP synthesis (using (31)P NMR magnetization transfer experiments) and tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle flux (calculated from the time course of (13)C enrichment in C-4 and C-2 of glutamate during an infusion of [2-(13)C]acetate). At the whole body level, we observed no change in energy expenditure. However, at the cellular level, skeletal muscle UCP3KO increased the rate of ATP synthesis from P(i) more than 4-fold under fasting conditions (wild type, 2.2 +/- 0.6 versus knockout, 9.1 +/- 1.4 micromol/g of muscle/min, p < 0.001) with no change in TCA cycle flux rate (wild type, 0.74 +/- 0.04 versus knockout, 0.71 +/- 0.03 micromol/g of muscle/min). The increased efficiency of ATP production may account for the significant (p < 0.05) increase in the ratio of ATP to ADP in the muscle of UCP3KO mice (5.9 +/- 0.3) compared with controls (4.5 +/- 0.4). The data presented here provide the first evidence of uncoupling activity by UCP3 in skeletal muscle in vivo.

Adenine Nucleotides↗

Adipose-selective targeting of the GLUT4 gene impairs insulin action in muscle and liver.

The earliest defect in developing type 2 diabetes is insulin resistance, characterized by decreased glucose transport and metabolism in muscle and adipocytes. The glucose transporter GLUT4 mediates insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in adipocytes and muscle by rapidly moving from intracellular storage sites to the plasma membrane. In insulin-resistant states such as obesity and type 2 diabetes, GLUT4 expression is decreased in adipose tissue but preserved in muscle. Because skeletal muscle is the main site of insulin-stimulated glucose uptake, the role of adipose tissue GLUT4 downregulation in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance and diabetes is unclear. To determine the role of adipose GLUT4 in glucose homeostasis, we used Cre/loxP DNA recombination to generate mice with adipose-selective reduction of GLUT4 (G4A-/-). Here we show that these mice have normal growth and adipose mass despite markedly impaired insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in adipocytes. Although GLUT4 expression is preserved in muscle, these mice develop insulin resistance in muscle and liver, manifested by decreased biological responses and impaired activation of phosphoinositide-3-OH kinase. G4A-/- mice develop glucose intolerance and hyperinsulinaemia. Thus, downregulation of GLUT4 and glucose transport selectively in adipose tissue can cause insulin resistance and thereby increase the risk of developing diabetes.

Adipocytes↗

Lipid-dependent control of hepatic glycogen stores in healthy humans.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Non-esterified fatty acids and glycerol could stimulate gluconeogenesis and also contribute to regulating hepatic glycogen stores. We examined their effect on liver glycogen breakdown in humans. METHODS: After an overnight fast healthy subjects participated in three protocols with lipid/heparin (plasma non-esterified fatty acids: 2.2 +/- 0.1 mol/l; plasma glycerol: 0.5 +/- 0.03 mol/l; n = 7), glycerol (0.4 +/- 0.1 mol/l; 1.5 +/- 0.2 mol/l; n = 5) and saline infusion (control; 0.5 +/- 0.1 mol/l; 0.2 +/- 0.02 mol/l; n = 7). Net rates of glycogen breakdown were calculated from the decrease of liver glycogen within 9 h using 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Endogenous glucose production was measured with infusion of D-[6,6-2H2]glucose. RESULTS: Endogenous glucose production decreased by about 25 % during lipid and saline infusion (p < 0.005) but not during glycerol infusion (p < 0.001 vs lipid, saline). An increase of plasma non-esterified fatty acids or glycerol reduced the net glycogen breakdown by about 84 % to 0.6 +/- 0.3 micromol x kg(-1) x min(-1) (p < 0.001 vs saline: 3.7 +/- 0.5 micromol x kg(-1) x min(-1)) and by about 46 % to 2.0 +/- 0.4 micromol x kg(-1) x min(-1) (p < 0.01 vs saline and lipid), respectively. Rates of gluconeogenesis increased to 11.5 +/- 0.8 micromol x kg(-1) x min(-1) (p < 0.01) and 12.8 +/- 1.0 micromol x kg(-1) min(-1) (p < 0.01 vs saline: 8.2 +/- 0.7 micromol x l(-1) x min(-1)), respectively. CONCLUSION/INTERPRETATION: An increase of non-esterifled fatty acid leads to a pronounced inhibition of net hepatic glycogen breakdown and increases gluconeogenesis whereas glucose production does not differ from the control condition. We suggest that this effect is not due to increased availability of glycerol alone but rather to lipid-dependent control of hepatic glycogen stores.

Adult↗

Contribution of net hepatic glycogen synthesis to disposal of an oral glucose load in humans.

The contribution of hepatic glycogen synthesis to whole body glucose disposal after an oral glucose load was examined using (13)C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy to measure liver glycogen content in healthy, volunteers after an overnight fast. In group 1 (n = 14), hepatic glycogen synthesis was measured using (13)C-NMR spectroscopy for 240 minutes after ingestion of 98 +/- 1 g glucose. Liver volumes were measured using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). To assess the direct (glucose --> glucose-6-P --> glucose-1-P --> uridine diphosphate (UDP)-glucose --> glycogen) and indirect (3-carbon units --> --> glycogen) pathways of liver glycogen synthesis, group 2 (n = 6) was studied with an identical glucose load enriched with [1-(13)C]glucose along with acetaminophen to noninvasively assess the (13)C enrichment in hepatic UDP-glucose. The fasting hepatic glycogen content was 305 +/- 17 mmol/L liver, and the liver volume was 1.46 +/- 0.07 L. For the initial 180 minutes after ingestion of glucose, hepatic glycogen concentrations increased linearly (r =.94, P =.0006) achieving a maximum concentration of 390 +/- 7 mmol/L liver and then remained constant until the end of the study. The mean maximum rate of net hepatic glycogen synthesis was 0.48 +/- 0.07 mmol/L liver-minute. Total liver glycogen synthesis could account for 16.7 +/- 3.8 g (17% +/- 4%) of the glucose ingested, and of this, 10.5 +/- 2.4 g (63% +/- 7%) was synthesized by the direct pathway. In conclusion, after ingestion of 98 g of glucose: (1) 16.7 +/- 3.8 g (17% +/- 4%) glucose was stored in the liver as glycogen, and (2) 63% +/- 7% (10.5 +/- 2.4 g) of this glycogen was formed via the direct pathway.

Adult↗

NMR spectroscopy in beta cell engineering and islet transplantation.

Islet transplantation is a promising method for restoring normoglycemia and alleviating the long term complications of diabetes. Widespread application of islet transplantation is hindered by the limited supply of human islets and requires a large increase in the availability of suitable insulin secreting tissue as well as robust quality assessment methodologies that can ensure safety and in vivo efficacy. We explore the application of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy in two areas relevant to beta cell engineering and islet transplantation: (1) the effect of genetic alterations on glucose metabolism, and (2) quality assessment of islet preparations prior to transplantation. Results obtained utilizing a variety of NMR techniques demonstrate the following: (1) Transfection of Rat1 cells with the c-myc oncogene (which may be involved in cell proliferation and cell cycle regulation) and overexpression of Bcl-2 (which may protect cells from stresses such as hypoxia and exposure to cytokines) introduce a wide array of alterations in cellular biochemistry, including changes in anaerobic and oxidative glucose metabolism, as assessed by 13C and 31P NMR spectroscopy. (2) Overnight incubation of islets and beta cells in the bottom of centrifuge tubes filled with medium at room temperature, as is sometimes done in islet transportation, exposes them to severe oxygen limitations that may cause cell damage. Such exposure, leading to reversible or irreversible damage, can be observed with NMR-detectable markers using conventional 13C and 31P NMR spectroscopy of extracts. In addition, markers of irreversible damage (as well as markers of hypoxia) can be detected and quantified without cell extraction using high-resolution magic angle spinning 1H NMR spectroscopy. Finally, acute ischemia in a bed of perfused beta cells leads to completely reversible changes that can be followed in real time with 31P NMR spectroscopy.

Animals↗

Chronic activation of AMP kinase results in NRF-1 activation and mitochondrial biogenesis.

The underlying mechanism by which skeletal muscle adapts to exercise training or chronic energy deprivation is largely unknown. To examine this question, rats were fed for 9 wk either with or without beta-guanadinopropionic acid (beta-GPA; 1% enriched diet), a creatine analog that is known to induce muscle adaptations similar to those induced by exercise training. Muscle phosphocreatine, ATP, and ATP/AMP ratios were all markedly decreased and led to the activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) in the beta-GPA-fed rats compared with control rats. Under these conditions, nuclear respiratory factor-1 (NRF-1) binding activity, measured using a cDNA probe containing a sequence encoding for the promoter of delta-aminolevulinate (ALA) synthase, was increased by about eightfold in the muscle of beta-GPA-fed rats compared with the control group. Concomitantly, muscle ALA synthase mRNA and cytochrome c content were also increased. Mitochondrial density in both extensor digitorum longus and epitrochlearis from beta-GPA-fed rats was also increased by more than twofold compared with the control group. In conclusion, chronic phosphocreatine depletion during beta-GPA supplementation led to the activation of muscle AMPK that was associated with increased NRF-1 binding activity, increased cytochrome c content, and increased muscle mitochondrial density. Our data suggest that AMPK may play an important role in muscle adaptations to chronic energy stress and that it promotes mitochondrial biogenesis and expression of respiratory proteins through activation of NRF-1.

5-Aminolevulinate Synthetase↗

Glucose toxicity and the development of diabetes in mice with muscle-specific inactivation of GLUT4.

Using cre/loxP gene targeting, transgenic mice with muscle-specific inactivation of the GLUT4 gene (muscle GLUT4 KO) were generated and shown to develop a diabetes phenotype. To determine the mechanism, we examined insulin-stimulated glucose uptake and metabolism during hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp in control and muscle GLUT4 KO mice before and after development of diabetes. Insulin-stimulated whole body glucose uptake was decreased by 55% in muscle GLUT4 KO mice, an effect that could be attributed to a 92% decrease in insulin-stimulated muscle glucose uptake. Surprisingly, insulin's ability to stimulate adipose tissue glucose uptake and suppress hepatic glucose production was significantly impaired in muscle GLUT4 KO mice. To address whether these latter changes were caused by glucose toxicity, we treated muscle GLUT4 KO mice with phloridzin to prevent hyperglycemia and found that insulin-stimulated whole body and skeletal muscle glucose uptake were decreased substantially, whereas insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in adipose tissue and suppression of hepatic glucose production were normal after phloridzin treatment. In conclusion, these findings demonstrate that a primary defect in muscle glucose transport can lead to secondary defects in insulin action in adipose tissue and liver due to glucose toxicity. These secondary defects contribute to insulin resistance and to the development of diabetes.

Adipose Tissue↗

Insulin/IGF-1 and TNF-alpha stimulate phosphorylation of IRS-1 at inhibitory Ser307 via distinct pathways.

Serine/threonine phosphorylation of IRS-1 might inhibit insulin signaling, but the relevant phosphorylation sites are difficult to identify in cultured cells and to validate in isolated tissues. Recently, we discovered that recombinant NH2-terminal Jun kinase phosphorylates IRS-1 at Ser307, which inhibits insulin-stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of IRS-1. To monitor phosphorylation of Ser307 in various cell and tissue backgrounds, we prepared a phosphospecific polyclonal antibody designated alphapSer307. This antibody revealed that TNF-alpha, IGF-1, or insulin stimulated phosphorylation of IRS-1 at Ser307 in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and adipocytes. Insulin injected into mice or rats also stimulated phosphorylation of Ser307 on IRS-1 immunoprecipitated from muscle; moreover, Ser307 was phosphorylated in human muscle during the hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp. Experiments in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and adipocytes revealed that insulin-stimulated phosphorylation of Ser307 was inhibited by LY294002 or wortmannin, whereas TNF-alpha-stimulated phosphorylation was inhibited by PD98059. Thus, distinct kinase pathways might converge at Ser307 to mediate feedback or heterologous inhibition of IRS-1 signaling to counterregulate the insulin response.

Animals↗

Prevention of fat-induced insulin resistance by salicylate.

Insulin resistance is a major factor in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes and may involve fat-induced activation of a serine kinase cascade involving IKK-beta. To test this hypothesis, we first examined insulin action and signaling in awake rats during hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamps after a lipid infusion with or without pretreatment with salicylate, a known inhibitor of IKK-beta. Whole-body glucose uptake and metabolism were estimated using [3-(3)H]glucose infusion, and glucose uptake in individual tissues was estimated using [1-(14)C]2-deoxyglucose injection during the clamp. Here we show that lipid infusion decreased insulin-stimulated glucose uptake and activation of IRS-1-associated PI 3-kinase in skeletal muscle but that salicylate pretreatment prevented these lipid-induced effects. To examine the mechanism of salicylate action, we studied the effects of lipid infusion on insulin action and signaling during the clamp in awake mice lacking IKK-beta. Unlike the response in wild-type mice, IKK-beta knockout mice did not exhibit altered skeletal muscle insulin signaling and action following lipid infusion. In summary, high-dose salicylate and inactivation of IKK-beta prevent fat-induced insulin resistance in skeletal muscle by blocking fat-induced defects in insulin signaling and action and represent a potentially novel class of therapeutic agents for type 2 diabetes.

Animals↗