Impaired insulin action in primary hyperaldosteronism

The presence of insulin resistance is frequently found in essential hypertension. There are, however, only sparse data with respect to the potential presence of insulin resistance in patients with secondary hypertension. We have therefore undertaken a study to reveal the potential occurrence of insulin resistance in primary hyperaldosteronism (PH). The hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp technique together with the evaluation of insulin receptor characteristics were used to study insulin resistance in 12 patients with PH. The measured parameters were compared to normal values in control subjects. We have found a significantly lower glucose disposal rate (M, micromol/kg/min) (18.7+/-6 vs. 29.3+/-4), decreased tissue insulin sensitivity index (M/I, micromol/kg/min per mU/l x100) (23.7+/-9.8 vs. 37.5+/-11.6) and also lower metabolic clearance rate of glucose (MCRg, ml/kg/min) (3.8+/-1.5 vs. 7.0+/-1.1) in patients with primary hyperaldosteronism. The insulin receptor characteristics on erythrocytes did not differ in primary hyperaldosteronism as compared to control healthy subjects. We thus conclude that insulin resistance is also present in secondary forms of hypertension (primary hyperaldosteronism) which indicates the heterogeneity of impaired insulin action in patients with arterial hypertension.