[Insulin resistance and arterial hypertension. Hyperinsulinism as a basic etiopathogenic factor in essential arterial...

In 50 normotonic patients with type 2 diabetes (NIDDM) and controls matched for sex and age with NIDDM and hypertension a statistically significant difference was found as regards S-peptide values on fasting, cholesterol, triglycerides, BMI and atherogenic index (cholesterol/HDL, p < 0.01). C-peptide values correlated positively with values of the systolic and median BP and the atherogenic index in both groups. In normotonic diabetics there was also a positive correlation with the BMI and in hypertonic subjects with the triglyceride levels. The results confirm the hypothesis that in NIDDM there is a direct relationship between arterial hypertension, unfavourable lipid parameters and insulin resistance and compensatory hyperinsulinism resp. The authors discuss possible mechanisms by which hyperinsulinism mediates a rise of BP, hyperlipoproteinaemia, hyperglycaemia and hirsutism (hormonal metabolic syndrome X and 5H resp.). These phenomena are the main risk factors of cardiovascular diseases and lead via heart attacks and cerebrovascular attacks (IHD and stroke) to a high cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in our population. The morbidity and mortality is steadily increasing and thus we are among civilized countries among those with the highest morbidity and mortality.