Insulin

About: Insulin is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 124295 publications have been published within this topic receiving 5129734 citations. The topic is also known as: human insulin.

Effect of physical exercise on sensitivity and responsiveness to insulin in humans

Abstract: The effect of acute physical exercise on insulin sensitivity and responsiveness of glucose uptake and hepatic glucose production was studied. Seven untrained men were subjected to four sequential euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamps after rest (R), immediately after exercise (E), as well as 48 h after 60 min of 150 W ergometer exercise (ER). Insulin-mediated glucose uptake was higher on E and ER days compared with R days. Apparent Km decreased after exercise (52 +/- 3 R vs. 43 +/- 4 E and 40 +/- 3 ER microU/ml, means +/- SE) and Vmax increased (9.5 +/- 0.8 R vs. 10.9 +/- 0.7 E and 10.7 +/- 0.8 ER mg.min-1.kg-1). Glucose oxidation increased with the increasing insulin infusion rate, and maximal glucose oxidation rate was lower on E days compared with R days. The maximal conversion rate of glucose to glycogen was higher on E and ER days (8.0 +/- 0.3 and 7.2 +/- 0.2, respectively) than on R days (5.7 +/- 0.6 mg.min-1 kg-1). Muscle glycogen synthase I activity was higher immediately after exercise and remained higher for the next 48 h. No change in any glucoregulatory hormone or metabolite could explain the increased insulin action seen after exercise. In additional experiments (n = 3), no remaining effect existed 5 days after exercise. Both insulin and exercise suppressed the pancreatic secretion of insulin and proinsulin. The conclusions drawn are that prolonged moderate exercise increases insulin action on glucose uptake in humans by reducing apparent Km and increasing Vmax. This effect lasts 48 h but not 5 days. The increased insulin action may be related to an exercise-induced increase in glycogen synthase activity.

Evidence for Distinctive and Intrinsic Defects in Insulin Action in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Abstract: Women with PCO have a unique but poorly characterized disorder of insulin action. Obese (n = 16) and nonobese (n = 14) PCO women and age- and weight-matched normal, nondiabetic ovulatory women (obese, n = 15; nonobese, n = 17) had insulin action determined in vivo with sequential multiple insulin dose euglycemic clamps and in isolated abdominal adipocytes to clarify the mechanisms of insulin resistance. PCO resulted in significant increases in the ED50 insulin for glucose utilization in vivo (P less than 0.001) and in adipocytes (P less than 0.01), without significant changes in adipocyte insulin-binding sites. PCO also resulted in significant decreases in maximal insulin-stimulated rates of glucose utilization in vivo (P less than 0.01) and in adipocytes (P less than 0.01). Obesity resulted in smaller decreases in insulin sensitivity than PCO (ED50 insulin, P less than 0.001 in vivo and P less than 0.05 in adipocytes), but greater decreases in insulin responsiveness (Vmax, P less than 0.001 in vivo and in adipocytes). The ED50 insulin for suppression of HGP was increased only in obese PCO women (P less than 0.001), and the interactions between PCO and obesity on this parameter were statistically significant. No significant correlations between androgen or estrogen levels and adipocyte insulin binding or action were found. Because insulin binding was not changed, we conclude that the major lesion causing insulin resistance in PCO is a striking decrease in insulin sensitivity secondary to a defect in the insulin receptor and/or postreceptor signal transduction. PCO also is associated with modest but significant decreases in glucose transport. These defects in insulin action appear to represent intrinsic abnormalities that are independent of obesity, metabolic derangements, body fat topography, and sex hormone levels. Conversely, changes in hepatic insulin sensitivity appear to be acquired with obesity.

A preliminary trial of the programmable implantable medication system for insulin delivery.

Abstract: We undertook a trial to determine whether an implanted insulin-delivery system, the programmable implantable medication system (PIMS), could be used to treat patients with insulin-dependent diabetes. PIMS is a pulsatile, programmable pump with a battery life expectancy of five years. The reservoir is refilled transcutaneously every two months with a surfactant-stabilized human insulin preparation containing 400 U of insulin per milliliter. Eighteen patients received PIMS-delivered insulin for 4 to 25 months (mean, 18). The total PIMS-implantation experience comprised 28 patient-years. Good glycemic control was established and sustained during treatment (mean plasma glucose level, 7.3 mmol per liter; mean glycohemoglobin level, 8 percent [upper limit of normal, 7.5 percent]), with significantly reduced glycemic fluctuations. The total mean daily insulin dose did not change. Insulin solutions withdrawn from the pump reservoirs contained 92 percent native insulin and preserved biologic activity. There were no surgical or skin complications, severe hypoglycemic episodes, or instances of diabetic ketoacidosis. One pump was replaced because of a manufacturing defect, and four patients had catheter blockages due to omental-tissue encapsulation; two withdrew from the study and two had devices that were repaired successfully. The actuarial rate of survival of catheter function was 78 percent at 1.5 years. We conclude from this pilot study that insulin treatment with an implanted, variable-rate, programmable pump is feasible for periods up to two years.

Impaired glucose tolerance, beta cell function and lipid metabolism in HIV patients under treatment with protease inhibitors.

Abstract: Objectives To evaluate metabolic abnormalities, beta-cell function, lipid profile and vascular risk factors in HIV patients on protease inhibitors (PI). Design Prospective cross-sectional study. Methods Thirty-eight HIV-1-infected patients receiving at least one PI were compared with 17 PI-naive HIV patients in an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Serum glucose, insulin, proinsulin, and C-peptide were determined. The fasting lipid pattern was analysed using electrophoresis and the assessment of apolipoproteins including lipoprotein (a). Fibrinogen, homocysteine, and anticardiolipin antibodies were also assessed. Results Twenty-seven (71%) of the PI-treated group had detectable hyperlipidaemia. Isolated hypertriglyceridaemia was present in 12 patients (44%), two (7%) of them had type V and 10 (37%) subjects had type IV hyperlipidaemia (Frederickson classification). Type IIb hyperlipidaemia defined as an increase of both very-low-density lipoproteins (VLDL) and low-density lipoproteins (LDL) was found in 10 (36%) subjects, and five (18%) patients presented with isolated hypercholesterolaemia (type IIa). PI treatment was associated with significant higher fasting cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL and VLDL levels. Apolipoprotein B and E concentrations were significantly increased in patients receiving PI. Elevated concentrations of lipoprotein (a) (> 30 mg/dl) were detected in six (16%) of the hyperlipidaemic patients on PI. Eighteen (46%) patients on PI had impaired oral glucose tolerance and five (13%) had diabetes. Although four (24%) of the PI-naive patients were glucose intolerant, none had diabetes. Fasting concentrations and secretion response of insulin, proinsulin, and C-peptide to glucose ingestion was significantly increased in the PI-treated group suggesting a beta-cell dysfunction in addition to peripheral insulin resistance. Beta-cell abnormalities were associated with the abnormal lipid pattern and PI treatment. Conclusion Combination drug regimens including PI are accompanied by impaired glucose tolerance, hyperproinsulinaemia as an indicator for beta-cell dysfunction, and lipid abnormalities proved to be significant risk factors for coronary heart disease. Moreover, PI may have an impact on the processing of proinsulin to insulin.