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Published on: March 20, 2017

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

P Cavallo Perin1, G Pacini, S Giunti

  • 1Department of Internal Medicine, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.

European Journal of Clinical Investigation
|June 10, 2000
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Microvascular angina is not directly linked to insulin resistance when other factors are controlled. This study found similar insulin sensitivity in patients and healthy individuals, suggesting no inherent association.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Metabolic Syndrome
  • Endocrinology

Background:

  • Previous studies suggested a link between microvascular angina and insulin resistance.
  • However, patient selection often failed to exclude confounding factors affecting insulin sensitivity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine if microvascular angina, in isolation, is associated with insulin resistance.
  • To investigate the direct relationship between microvascular angina and metabolic health.

Main Methods:

  • A Frequently Sampled Intravenous Glucose Tolerance Test was conducted in 10 patients with microvascular angina and 10 healthy controls.
  • Patients and controls were matched for age, sex, body mass index, blood pressure, and plasma lipids, with normal glucose tolerance.

Main Results:

  • Fasting glucose, insulin, and C-peptide levels were similar between patients and controls.
  • Parameters of insulin secretion and hepatic insulin extraction did not differ significantly between the groups.
  • Insulin sensitivity measurements were comparable in both microvascular angina patients and the control group.

Conclusions:

  • Microvascular angina is not inherently associated with hyperinsulinemia or insulin resistance.
  • When confounding metabolic and cardiovascular risk factors are excluded, microvascular angina does not appear to be a direct cause of insulin resistance.

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