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G Pacini

Publications and source records attributed to G Pacini.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Contribution to glucose tolerance of insulin-independent vs. insulin-dependent mechanisms in mice.

To study the contributions of insulin-dependent vs. insulin-independent mechanisms to intravenous glucose tolerance (K(G)), 475 experiments in mice were performed. An intravenous glucose bolus was given either alone or with exogenous insulin or with substances modulating insulin secretion and sensitivity. Seven samples were taken over 50 min. Insulin [suprabasal area under the curve (DeltaAUC(ins))] ranged from 0 to 100 mU. ml(-1). 50 min. After validation against the euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp, the minimal model of net glucose disappearance was exploited to analyze glucose and insulin concentrations to measure the action of glucose per se independent of dynamic insulin (S(G)) and the combined effect of insulin sensitivity (S(I)) and secretion. Sensitivity analysis showed that insulin [through disposition index (DI)] contributed to glucose tolerance by 29 +/- 4% in normal conditions. In conditions of elevated hyperinsulinemia, contribution by insulin increased on average to 69%. K(G) correlated with DI but was saturated for DeltaAUC(ins) above 15 mU. ml(-1). 50 min. Insulin sensitivity related to DeltaAUC(ins) in a hyperbolic manner, whereas S(G) did not correlate with the insulin peak in the physiological range. Thus glucose tolerance in vivo is largely mediated by mechanisms unrelated to dynamic insulin and saturates with high insulin.

Animals↗

Insulin and C-peptide secretion and kinetics in humans: direct and model-based measurements during OGTT.

To directly evaluate prehepatic secretion of pancreatic hormones during a 3-h oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), we measured insulin and C-peptide in six healthy control, six obese, and six type 2 diabetic subjects in the femoral artery and hepatic vein by means of the hepatic catheterization technique. Hypersecretion in obesity was confirmed (309 +/- 66 nmol in obese vs. 117 +/- 22 in control and 79 +/- 13 in diabetic subjects, P </= 0.01), whereas early phase secretion was impaired in diabetes. We also measured hepatic insulin extraction (higher in diabetic than in control subjects, P = 0.03) and insulin clearance. The measured data were also used to validate a previously proposed mathematical model, developed to quantify prehepatic secretion, hepatic insulin extraction, and insulin clearance during OGTT, when C-peptide and insulin concentrations are systemically measured. We found good correspondence between experimental data and model estimates for prehepatic insulin secretion (P > 0.3, r(2) = 0.93), whereas estimation of hepatic insulin extraction and insulin clearance needs further investigation for improvement.

Adult↗

Liver-derived IGF-I is of importance for normal carbohydrate and lipid metabolism.

IGF-I is important for postnatal body growth and exhibits insulin-like effects on carbohydrate metabolism. The function of liver-derived IGF-I is still not established, although we previously demonstrated that liver-derived IGF-I is not required for postnatal body growth. Mice whose IGF-I gene in the liver was inactivated at 24 days of age were used to investigate the long-term role of liver-derived IGF-I for carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. Serum levels of leptin in these mice were increased by >100% at 3 months of age, whereas the fat mass of the mice was decreased by 25% at 13 months of age. The mice became markedly hyperinsulinemic and yet normoglycemic, indicating an adequately compensated insulin resistance. Furthermore, they had increased serum levels of cholesterol. We conclude that liver-derived IGF-I is of importance for carbohydrate and lipid metabolism.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗

A model-based method for assessing insulin sensitivity from the oral glucose tolerance test.

OBJECTIVE: Available insulin sensitivity (IS) methods based on the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) are empirical. We used a glucose-insulin model to derive an OGTT-based IS (oral glucose insulin sensitivity [OGIS]) index, which predicts glucose clearance in a glucose clamp. We validated OGIS against clamp data. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: OGIS requires glucose and insulin concentrations from a 75-g OGTT at 0, 2, and 3 h (3-h OGTT) or at 0, 1.5, and 2 h (2-h OGTT). The formula includes six constants optimized to match the clamp results. For this purpose, 15 lean nondiabetic subjects (BMI < 25 kg/m2), 38 obese nondiabetic subjects (BMI > 25 kg/m2), and 38 subjects with type 2 diabetes randomly underwent an OGTT and a 120 mU x min(-1) x m(-2) insulin infusion euglycemic clamp. Glucose clearance (Cl CLAMP), calculated as the ratio of glucose infusion to concentration during the last hour of the clamp, was compared with OGIS. OGIS was also tested on an independent group of 13 subjects with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). RESULTS: OGIS and Cl CLAMP were correlated in the whole group (R = 0.77, P < 0.0001), in the subgroups (lean: R = 0.59; obese: R = 0.73; type 2 diabetes: R = 0.49; P < 0.02), and in the independent IGT group (R = 0.65, P < 0.02). Reproducibility of OGIS and Cl CLAMP were similar (coefficients of variation: OGIS 7.1%, Cl CLAMP 6.4%). OGIS was as effective as Cl CLAMP in discriminating between groups (for OGIS, lean vs. obese: 440 +/- 16 vs. 362 +/- 11 ml x min(-1) x m(-2), p < 0.001; lean vs. type 2 diabetes: 440 +/- 16 vs. 239 +/- 7, P < 0.0001; obese vs. type 2 diabetes: 362 +/- 11 vs. 239 +/- 7, P < 0.0001; results were similar for Cl CLAMP). The relationships between IS and BMI, fasting plasma insulin, and insulin secretion (calculated from the OGTT insulin concentration) were examined. OGIS yielded results similar to Cl CLAMP and fully consistent with established physiological principles. The performance of the index for the 3-h and 2-h OGTT was similar. CONCLUSIONS: OGIS is an index of IS in good agreement with the clamp. Because of its simplicity (only three blood samples required), this method has potential use for clinical investigation including large-scale epidemiological studies.

Body Mass Index↗

Microvascular angina (cardiological syndrome X) per se is not associated with hyperinsulinaemia or insulin resistance.

BACKGROUND: Microvascular angina has been found to be associated with insulin resistance. However, many factors known to affect insulin sensitivity were not excluded in patient selection. We aimed to evaluate whether microvascular angina is per se associated with insulin resistance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a Frequently Sampled Intravenous Glucose Tolerance Test (0.33 g kg(-1) b.w.) in 10 normal weight and normotensive patients with microvascular angina, with normal glucose tolerance and normal plasma lipids. Ten healthy subjects, comparable for age, sex, body mass index, blood pressure and plasma lipids, were used as control group. RESULTS: Fasting serum glucose (4.49+/-0.2 SEM vs. 4.52+/-0.13 mmol L(-1), P = 0.9), insulin (39.46 +/-3.68 SEM vs. 47.12+/-4.6 pmol L(-1), P = 0.21) and C-peptide (0.56 +/-0.05 SEM vs. 0.53+/-0.05 nmol L(-1), P = 0. 68) values, as well as estimated parameters of insulin secretion and hepatic insulin extraction were similar in the two groups. Insulin sensitivity values (median, range) were also similar in the patients and control subjects (5.76 (3.39-12.30) vs. 7.54 (3.68-13.89. 10(-4) x min(-1)/(microU/mL), P = 0.97). CONCLUSION: Microvascular angina per se is not associated with hyperinsulinaemia or insulin resistance when other confounding factors are excluded in patient selection.

Adult↗

The increased insulin sensitivity in growth hormone-deficient adults is reduced by growth hormone replacement therapy.

BACKGROUND: Growth hormone deficiency is associated with increased morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular diseases, which might be related to changes in glucose and lipid metabolism. DESIGN: To assess the influence of long-term growth hormone replacement therapy (GHRT) on glucose metabolism we examined eight growth hormone-deficient (GHD) adults (seven female/one male; age, 46 +/- 3 years; body mass index, 31 +/- 2 kg m-2) over a period of 18 months in comparison to an adequate control group consisting of eight obese subjects matched for age, sex, and body mass index. We performed frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance tests (FSIGT) with minimal model analysis before the study, and after 12 and 18 months. RESULTS: Following GHRT, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) increased significantly from a basal level of 75.9 +/- 18.9 to 200.8 +/- 31.0 microg L-1 after 12 months of therapy and remained stable, thereafter. GHRT did not affect fasting blood glucose, basal insulin, cholesterol, blood pressure and body weight. However, at 12 months, HbA1c (6.0 +/- 0.1 vs. 5.6 +/- 0.1% at basal, P < 0.05) and triglyceride (2.3 +/- 0.4 vs. 1.4 +/- 0.3 mmol L-1) significantly increased but returned to pretreatment values at 18 months. Insulin sensitivity was higher in GHD (8.2 +/- 3.1) compared to controls (3. 6 +/- 0.53 x 10-4 min-1/(microU mL-1), P = 0.06) and decreased significantly after 18 months of GHRT to 5.1 +/- 2.6, P < 0.05. Basal insulin secretion was similar to that in the control group and increased significantly after 12 and 18 months, total insulin secretion only after 12 months. SG (glucose effectiveness)was lower in GHD patients (0.0095 +/- 0.001 min-1) compared to controls (0.020 +/- 0.003 min-1, P < 0.05) and increased significantly after 12 and 18 months of GHRT (0.016 +/- 0.002, and 0.015 +/- 0.001 min-1, P < 0. 05), respectively. Hepatic insulin extraction rate was similar in both groups and remained unchanged following GHRT. CONCLUSION: We conclude that long-term GHRT induces a significant decrease of the increased insulin sensitivity in GHD patients to levels observed in body mass index-matched control subjects. This is accompanied by an increase in basal and total insulin secretion as well as in glucose effectiveness as a possible compensatory mechanism.

Adult↗

Course of renal function in type 2 diabetic patients with abnormalities of albumin excretion rate.

Heterogeneity in renal structure has been described in type 2 diabetic patients with both microalbuminuria and proteinuria; in fact, only a subset of type 2 diabetic patients have the typical diabetic glomerulopathy. However, it is currently unknown whether abnormalities in albumin excretion rate (AER) have a different renal prognostic value depending on the underlying renal structure. Aims of this study were: 1) to study the course of renal function in type 2 diabetic patients with altered AER; 2) to evaluate the relationship between the course of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and renal structure; and 3) to evaluate the relationship between the course of GFR and baseline AER levels, metabolic control, and blood pressure levels during a follow-up period of 4 years. A total of 108 type 2 diabetic patients, 74 with microalbuminuria (MA) and 34 with proteinuria (P), were recruited into a prospective study that encompassed: 1) a baseline kidney biopsy with morphometric measurements of glomerular parameters; 2) intensified antihypertensive treatment for an average 4-year period (blood pressure target <140/90 mmHg); and 3) determinations of GFR at baseline and every 6 months. Mean (+/- SD) GFR significantly decreased from baseline in both MA (-1.3+/-9.4 [95% CI -3.51 to +0.86], P < 0.05) and P (-3.0+/-13.0 ml x min(-1) x 1.73 m(-2) per year [-7.71 to +1.61], P < 0.01). However, the changes in GFR were quite heterogeneous. Thus, on the basis of percent GFR change per year from baseline (delta%GFR), both MA and P patients were defined as progressors or nonprogressors when they were below or above the median, respectively. Baseline parameters of glomerular structure had a strong influence on the course of GFR. Indeed, the odds ratios of being progressors significantly increased across the quartiles of baseline glomerular basement membrane (GBM) width and mesangial fractional volume [Vv(mes/glom)], being 2.71 and 2.85 higher, respectively, in the fourth quartile than in the first quartile (P < 0.01 for both). Conversely, nonprogressors outnumbered progressors in the first quartile of GBM width (odds ratio: 2.14, P < 0.05) and in the first quartile of Vv(mes/glom) (odds ratio: 2.28, P < 0.01). Baseline albumin excretion rate (AER) did not influence delta%GFR; in fact, the number of progressors did not increase across quartiles of baseline AER among either MA or P. Similarly, mean blood pressure levels during follow-up (and intensified antihypertensive therapy) did not affect the course of GFR: the number of progressors and nonprogressors did not change across quartiles of mean blood pressure. In contrast, HbA1c during follow-up had an impact on delta%GFR: the odds ratio for being a progressor increased across quartiles of HbA1c, particularly for the highest quartile (HbA1c >9.0%). In conclusion, the course of renal function is heterogeneous in type 2 diabetic patients with microalbuminuria or proteinuria. In fact, a subset of patients has a rapid decline in GFR over a 4-year follow-up period; these patients have more advanced diabetic glomerulopathy and worse metabolic control than the remaining patients, whose GFR remains stable. These two cohorts are otherwise undistinguishable as regards the degree of AER at baseline and tight blood pressure control. Kidney biopsy has an important prognostic role in these patients. Thus, tight blood pressure control, when not associated with satisfactory glycemic control, is unable to prevent rapid GFR decline in type 2 diabetic patients with typical diabetic glomerulopathy.

Adult↗

Effect of different times of administration of a single ethanol dose on insulin action, insulin secretion and redox state.

AIMS: Ethanol (EtOH) can affect glucose metabolism by altering the redox state, insulin-mediated glucose uptake and insulin secretion. We sought to determine the effects of an acute oral EtOH load on insulin secretion and glucose tolerance and the importance of a different timing of administration relative to a glucose load. METHODS: Eleven subjects underwent a frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance test (FSIGT) on three occasions in random order. In one, EtOH was given 50 min 'before' the FSIGT; on the second, the same amount was administered 6 min after the glucose pulse ('during' study); on the third no EtOH was given. RESULTS: Blood EtOH peaked at 4.43+/-0.24 mmol/l (mean +/- SD) in the 'during' and 4.16+/-0.31 mmol/l in the 'before' study. No differences were noticed in S(I), the index of insulin sensitivity, or in S(G), the glucose effectiveness, between the 'before', 'during' and control studies. There were no differences in the first-phase insulin secretion between the three studies but a significant increase in the sensitivity to glucose of second-phase dynamic insulin response, phi2, in the 'before' (0.062+/-0.036 pmol x min(-2) x (mg(-1) x dl(-1))(-1)) and 'during' (0.063+/-0.059) studies, compared to the control study (0.017+/-0.010, P<0.05) was observed. No differences were observed in the hepatic extraction of insulin. In the 'before' study, there was a significant decline in NEFA (non-esterified fatty acid) concentration from the baseline (mean 602+/-51 micromol/l) to the O min value (mean 353+/-37, P<0.01). During the FSIGT, the mean plasma NEFA concentration was significantly lower in the 'before' and in the 'during' than in the control study. CONCLUSION: An acute oral EtOH load does not impair glucose metabolism, at least in part because of an increased second-phase insulin secretion. Since this effect is observed irrespective of whether EtOH is consumed either before or during the glucose load, the existence of a priming effect is questioned.

Adult↗

Dose-related effects of GLP-1 on insulin secretion, insulin sensitivity, and glucose effectiveness in mice.

We examined the dose-related net effects of glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) on insulin secretion, insulin sensitivity, and glucose disposal as derived from the minimal model of glucose disappearance in anesthetized mice. GLP-1 dose dependently potentiated insulin secretion after glucose administration, with the half-maximal effect at 1 nmol/kg. GLP-1 also dose dependently reduced the area under the glucose curve (AUC(glucose)) and increased the glucose elimination rate (K(G)) but did not affect the glucose effectiveness (S(G)). Furthermore, the insulin sensitivity index (S(I)) was reduced after administration of GLP-1. Because insulin secretion was stimulated to a larger degree than S(I) was reduced, the peptide increased the global disposition index (GDI = AUC(insulin) x S(I)). Matching plasma insulin levels after GLP-1 by exogenous insulin reproduced the influences of GLP-1 on AUC(glucose), K(G), S(I), and GDI. Finally, the GLP-1 receptor antagonist exendin-3-(9-39) inhibited the actions of GLP-1. We conclude that GLP-1 increases glucose tolerance in the mouse mainly by potently stimulating insulin secretion.

Animals↗

Reduced glucose effectiveness as a feature of glucose intolerance: evidence in elderly type-2 diabetic subjects.

One of the factors determining glucose tolerance is glucose disappearance independent from the dynamic insulin (glucose effectiveness); the debate on its role in the development of Type-2 diabetes is still open. The aim of the present study was to evaluate insulin delivery, insulin sensitivity (SI), and glucose effectiveness (SG) in a group of elderly Type-2 diabetic patients (D, 4/6 F/M, age 67 +/- 2 years, 64 +/- 2 kg, BMI 23.8 +/- 0.5 kg/m2), compared to young controls (C, 4/6 F/M, 25 +/- 2 years, 72 +/- 4 kg, 23.7 +/- 1.1 kg/m2) and elderly controls (E, 2/4 F/M, 73 +/- 3 years, 63 +/- 4 kg, 23.1 +/- 0.5 kg/m2). We performed oral (OGTT) and intravenous (FSIGT) glucose tolerance tests. The OGTT showed that C and E were normotolerant, while D had a markedly reduced glucose tolerance. This was also confirmed in the FSIGT where the glucose tolerance index (KG) was 0.6 +/- 0.1% min-1 in D vs 1.8 +/- 0.2 in C and 1.5 +/- 0.2 in E (p < 0.0002). Total insulin area of D and the overall insulin delivery were not different from those of the control groups. The early phase area was instead significantly reduced (0.19 +/- 0.02 mU min/mL vs 0.61 +/- 0.06 of C and 0.46 +/- 0.06 of E, p < 0.001) given the reduction in the dynamic first-phase insulin delivery (0.86 +/- 0.17 min(microU/mL)/(mg/dL) vs 3.95 +/- 0.61 in C (p < 0.005) and 2.61 +/- 0.66 (p < 0.001) in E). SI of D was 3.4 +/- 0.4 10(-4) min-1/(microU/mL), not different from that of C (4.7 +/- 0.6) and E (3.5 +/- 0.2). This study showed a marked difference between SG of D and that of both control groups [0.010 +/- 0.001 min-1 vs 0.026 +/- 0.004 (p < 0.001) of C and 0.020 +/- 0.003 (p < 0.002) of E], mostly due to the zero-insulin component GEZI which was 0.006 +/- 0.001 in D vs 0.021 +/- 0.004 in C and 0.016 +/- 0.003 in E (p < 0.003). In the elderly groups, when taken together, SG exhibited a positive correlation with the area under insulin concentration during the early phase and with KG (r = 0.69, p = 0.0032 and r = 0.90, p = 0.0001, respectively), demonstrating the importance of the first-phase insulin delivery in modulating glucose effectiveness and glucose tolerance.

Adult↗

Elevated basal insulin secretion and normal dynamic insulin sensitivity in borderline hypertension.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Borderline hypertension is often the initial stage of stabilized hypertension. This study aimed to provide insight on insulin behavior and its relationship with glucose metabolism by investigating insulin secretion and hepatic clearance in non-steady-state conditions in borderline hypertensive patients. METHODS AND RESULTS: We studied 15 patients (6 F, 9M, 44 +/- 2 yr, 78 +/- 2 kg, systolic pressure 155 +/- 10 mmHg, diastolic 93 +/- 5) and 15 comparable healthy controls. All underwent an intravenous glucose test, with minimal model analysis to measure insulin sensitivity S1, glucose effectiveness SG, insulin pre-hepatic release, hepatic extraction, and insulin appearance rate in the systemic circulation. Basal glucose (3.98 +/- 0.12 vs 3.94 +/- 0.11 mmol/L, hypertensive vs control subjects respectively), i.v. glucose tolerance factor KG (2.0 +/- 0.2 vs 2.2 +/- 0.1% min-1), SG (0.035 +/- 0.004 vs 0.032 +/- 0.007 min-1) and S1 [3.5 +/- 0.5 vs 3.8 +/- 0.3 10(4) min-1 (microU/mL)] were similar, both basal insulin and C-peptide exhibited a marked increase (87 +/- 8 vs 46 +/- 6 pmol/L, p = 0.0003; 637 +/- 62 vs 381 +/- 76 pmol/L, p < 0.03) demonstrating insulin resistance in basal conditions. Insulin secretion per unit volume was greater in patients, both at basal (43 +/- 5 vs 24 +/- 5 pmol/L/min, p = 0.01) and after stimulation (total hormone released = 18 +/- 2 vs 11 +/- 2 nmol/L in 4 h, p = 0.022). Post-hepatic insulin delivery was also elevated (basal = 11 +/- 1 vs 6 +/- 1 pmol/L/min, p < 0.002, total = 5 +/- 1 vs 3 +/- 0.3 nmol/L in 4 h, p = 0.02), while no difference was detected in hepatic extraction (66 +/- 4% vs 66 +/- 3). CONCLUSION: Borderline hypertensive patients display normal glucose tolerance with basal insulin resistance and normal dynamic insulin sensitivity. Peripheral hyperinsulinemia derives from the combination of normal hepatic extraction with an overproduction of hormone, mostly due to the basal component. Because borderline hypertension often degenerates into overt disease, our results point to a progression that leads to the well-known insulin resistance proper to sustained hypertension.

Adult↗

Zinc supplementation improves glucose disposal in patients with cirrhosis.

Zinc deficiency is common in cirrhosis, and was proved to affect nitrogen metabolism. In experimental animals, zinc status may also affect glucose disposal, and acute zinc supplementation improves glucose tolerance in healthy subjects. This study was aimed at measuring the effects of long-term oral zinc supplements on glucose tolerance in cirrhosis. The time courses of glucose, insulin, and C-peptide in response to an intravenous (i.v.) glucose load were analyzed by the minimal-model technique before and after long-term oral zinc supplements (200 mg three times per day for 60 days) in 10 subjects with advanced cirrhosis and impaired glucose tolerance or diabetes. The test was performed using a simplified procedure, based on 20 blood samples collected within 4 hours from the glucose load. Normal values were obtained in 25 age-matched healthy subjects. Zinc levels were low to normal or reduced before treatment, and were normalized by oral zinc. Glucose disappearance improved by greater than 30% in response to treatment. There were no changes in pancreatic insulin secretion and systemic delivery, or in the hepatic extraction of insulin. Insulin sensitivity (SI), which was reduced by 80% before treatment, did not change. Glucose effectiveness (SG) was nearly halved in cirrhosis before treatment (0.013 [SD 0.007] min(-1) v. 0.028 [SD 0.009] in controls; P < .001), and increased to 0.017 (SD 0.009) after zinc (P < .05 v. baseline). The return to normal of plasma zinc levels after long-term zinc treatment in advanced cirrhosis improves glucose tolerance via an increase of the effects of glucose per se on glucose metabolism. Poor zinc status may contribute to the impaired glucose tolerance and diabetes of cirrhosis.

Administration, Oral↗

Insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia are already present in patients with incipient renal disease.

In uremic patients resistance to the action of insulin has been documented, but it is not known at what stage of renal disease it appears. We therefore examined 29 patients with IgA glomerulonephritis (IgAGN) and 21 patients with adult polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) in different stages of renal failure, and in addition, healthy age-matched subjects. Insulin sensitivity and other variables of glucose metabolism were assessed using a frequent sampling intravenous glucose tolerance test (minimal-model technique). Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was assessed in renal patients using the inulin-clearance technique. Mean insulin sensitivity index (SI), that is, insulin sensitivity, was significantly lower (P < 0.001) in all patients combined than in matched healthy subjects (N = 16; 14 males, mean age 42 +/- 3 years; mean SI 8.6 +/- 0.8 min-1 uU/ml). The mean SI was not significantly different in patients with renal disease of immune (IgAGN) or non-immune (ADPKD) origin, and it was not correlated with GFR (r = 0.01, P < 0.52), intact PTH (r = -0.23, P < 0.11) or calcitriol concentration (r = -0.03, P < 0.82). Consequently, the mean SI was similar in renal patients with GFR within the normal range (N = 19; 17 males, mean age 41 +/- 2 years; mean GFR 119 +/- 5 ml/min/1.73 m2; 5.1 +/- 0.7 min-1 uU/ml), in patients with mild to moderate renal failure (N = 16; 15 males, 46 +/- 3 years; 67 +/- 4 ml/min/1.73 m2; 5.1 +/- 0.7 min-1 microU/ml) and in patients with advanced renal failure (N = 15; 13 males, 46 +/- 3 years; 25 +/- 2 ml/min/1.73 m2; 4.7 +/- 0.6 min-1 uU/ml). Mean fasted plasma insulin concentration, the area under the curve for plasma insulin concentration (AUC) and total insulin delivery (TID) during the glucose tolerance test were significantly higher in patients than in healthy subjects, reflecting hyperinsulinemia in renal patients. Further, fasted plasma insulin concentration (r = -0.32, P < 0.009), AUC (r = -0.62, P < 0.0001) and TID (r = -0.34, P < 0.004) in patients were significantly correlated with insulin sensitivity (SI). The present data document that insulin resistance and concomitant hyperinsulinemia are present early in the course of renal disease, that is, even in patients with GFR within the normal range, irrespective of the type of renal disease. This observation may have potential implications with respect to the high cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in patients with renal disease.

Adult↗

Insulin secretion and hepatic insulin clearance as determinants of hyperinsulinaemia in normotolerant grossly obese adolescents.

Obesity is characterized by variable degrees of hyperinsulinaemia, which has been attributed to either beta-cell hypersecretion or reduced hepatic insulin extraction, or both. To investigate this controversial issue, a 4-h frequently sampled i.v. glucose tolerance test (glucose dose 12.8 g m(-2)) was performed in 13 normotolerant, grossly obese adolescents (10 F/3 M; 13+/-1 y; body mass index 32+/-0.9; pubertal stage 4-5; obesity duration 7.8+/-3 y) and in a comparable group of 8 healthy, normal-weight subjects. Glucose, insulin and C-peptide time-course were analysed by the minimal model technique, which estimates beta-cell secretion, insulin sensitivity (Si), glucose effectiveness (SG) and hepatic insulin extraction (HE). Despite similar fasting and after load glucose patterns (SG similar in the two groups), obese adolescents showed sustained peripheral hyperinsulinaemia (total insulin area under the concentration curve 67.2+/-10.8 vs 19.1+/-1.2 pmol l(-1) in 240 min; p <0.002) and a 71% reduction in Si (2.02+/-0.33 vs 6.95+/-1.03 x 10(4) min(-1) (microU ml(-1)); p < 0.001). Compared with control subjects, the total amounts of prehepatic insulin secretion and posthepatic insulin delivery were also increased significantly in obese adolescents by 30% and 46%, respectively; HE was reduced by 15% during the first 30 min of the test, but recovered within the normal range during the rest of the test. In conclusion, severely obese adolescents are insulin resistant and their hyperinsulinaemia is primarily caused by beta-cell hypersecretion, whereas the reduction in insulin hepatic extraction is a transient metabolic phenomenon.

Adolescent↗

Endothelin-1 infusion inhibits plasma insulin responsiveness in normal men.

OBJECTIVES: Elevated plasma endothelin (ET)-1 levels have been described in insulin-resistant states such as syndrome X, obesity, non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, and in some studies in essential hypertension. To investigate whether increases in circulating ET-1 to levels observed in insulin-resistant states can modulate insulin levels and/or insulin sensitivity in humans, we assessed these variables during low, non-pressor-dose ET-1 compared with placebo infusion. DESIGN: In a randomized, single blind, crossover design, 10 lean normotensive male subjects received either an intravenous infusion of subpressor doses of ET-1 dissolved in polygeline or a control infusion of polygeline only (placebo). Using dynamic assessment by the minimal model approach with the modified frequent sampling intravenous glucose tolerance test (FSIGT) the following and other parameters were measured: insulin sensitivity; acute insulin response to glucose (AIR(G)) calculated as the average of the three peak values between 2 and 5 min after injection of glucose from which the basal insulin levels were subtracted; the initial area under the curve (AUC(1-19)) from insulin values between time 0 and 19 min and the first-phase insulin secretion (phi1) from insulin kinetics parameters. RESULTS: ET-1 infusion reduced AIR(G) (to 34.85 +/- 4.27 compared with 49.3 +/- 6.9 microU/ml during placebo, P=0.017) and the acute C-peptide response to glucose (to 2.33 +/- 0.41 compared with 3.1 +/- 0.44 ng/ml, P=0.018), decreased plasma insulin levels during the FSIGT compared with placebo (analysis of variance P<0.0001) and decreased the AUC(1-19) (to 2.1 +/- 0.2 compared with 2.9 +/- 0.3 U/l per 20 min, P<0.01) while phi1 tended to be lower. S1 measured during ET-1 infusion was unaltered (11.11 +/- 1.91 x 10(-4) versus 10.88 +/- 2.11 10(-4)/min per mU per l, NS). CONCLUSIONS: These findings demonstrate that an increase in circulating ET-1 to levels observed in insulin-resistant states acutely diminishes the insulin secretory response but does not significantly modify insulin sensitivity.

Adult↗

Insulin sensitivity and glucose effectiveness: minimal model analysis of regular and insulin-modified FSIGT.

The minimal model is widely used to evaluate insulin action on glucose disappearance from frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance tests (FSIGT). The common protocols are a regular (rFSIGT, single injection of 0.3 g/kg of glucose) and an insulin-modified test (mFSIGT, with an additional insulin administration at 20 min). This study compared the insulin sensitivity index (SI) and glucose effectiveness (SG) obtained in the same individual (16 normal subjects) with the two tests. SI was 7.11 +/- 0.80 10(-4).min-1.microU-1.ml in rFSIGT and 6.96 +/- 0.83 in mFSIGT (P = 0.656), regression r = 0.92, P < 0.0001; SG was 0.0260 +/- 0.0028 min-1 and 0.0357 +/- 0.0052, respectively, statistically different (P = 0.013) but still with a good regression (r = 0.66, P = 0.0051). SG and insulin amount during the early period correlated (r = 0.6, P = 0.015 in rFSIGT and r = 0.76, P = 0.0006 in mFSIGT). In summary, both FSIGTs with minimal model analysis provide the same SI, which is a very robust index. SG was different by 28% due probably to the relationship between SG and the amount of circulating insulin. In studies comparing groups, the simpler rFSIGT can still be used with the advantage of accounting for endogenous insulin, thus offering the possibility of direct inferences on the beta-cell activity.

Adult↗

PACAP stimulates insulin secretion but inhibits insulin sensitivity in mice.

Although pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) stimulates insulin secretion, its net influence on glucose homeostasis in vivo has not been established. We therefore examined the action of PACAP-27 and PACAP-38 on insulin secretion, insulin sensitivity, and glucose disposal as derived from the minimal model of glucose disappearance during an intravenous glucose tolerance test in anesthetized mice. PACAP-27 and PACAP-38 markedly and equipotently potentiated glucose-stimulated insulin secretion, with a half-maximal effect at 33 pmol/kg. After PACAP-27 or PACAP-38 (1.3 nmol/kg), the acute (1-5 min) insulin response was 3.8 +/- 0.4 nmol/l (PACAP-27) and 3.3 +/- 0.3 nmol/l (PACAP-38), respectively, vs. 1.4 +/- 0.1 nmol/l after glucose alone (P < 0.001), and the total area under the curve for insulin (AUCinsulin) was potentiated by 60% (P < 0.001). In contrast, PACAP-27 and PACAP-38 reduced the insulin sensitivity index (SI) [0.23 +/- 0.04 10(-4) min-1/(pmol/l) for PACAP-27 and 0.29 +/- 0.06 10(-4) min-1/(pmol/l) for PACAP-38 vs. 0.46 +/- 0.02 10(-4) min-1/(pmol/l) for controls (P < 0.01)]. Furthermore, PACAP-27 or PACAP-38 did not affect glucose elimination determined as glucose half-time or the glucose elimination rate after glucose injection or the area under the curve for glucose. Moreover, glucose effectiveness and the global disposition index (AUCinsulin times SI) were not affected by PACAP-27 or PACAP-38. Finally, when given together with glucose, PACAP-27 did not alter plasma glucagon or norepinephrine levels but significantly increased plasma epinephrine levels. We conclude that PACAP, besides its marked stimulation of insulin secretion, also inhibits insulin sensitivity in mice, the latter possibly explained by increased epinephrine. This complex action explains why the peptide does not enhance glucose disposal.

Animals↗