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Insulin and glucose play a role in foam cell formation and function
Pavel N Shashkin1, Nitin Jain, Yury I Miller
1Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Virginia, 415 Lane Road, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA. pshashkin@hotmail.com
Cardiovascular Diabetology
|June 22, 2006
Summary
High glucose and insulin levels promote foam cell formation in diabetes. Modified LDL in these conditions alters insulin signaling and increases inflammatory factors, potentially worsening insulin resistance.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Endocrinology
- Immunology
Background:
- Foam cell formation in diabetic patients is linked to high insulin and glucose.
- Investigating hyperinsulinemic hyperglycemic effects on foam cell differentiation is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if hyperinsulinemic hyperglycemic conditions impact macrophage foam cell differentiation.
- To analyze gene expression, cytokine production, and Akt phosphorylation.
Main Methods:
- Human monocyte-derived macrophages incubated with minimally modified LDL (mmLDL) and extensively oxidized LDL (OxLDL).
- Gene expression analysis using Affymetrix GeneChip arrays.
- Measurement of cytokine production and Akt phosphorylation.
Main Results:
- Modified LDL altered insulin signaling genes, including upregulation of insulin receptor and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase.
- Akt phosphorylation and insulin-regulated aminopeptidase expression increased under hyperinsulinemic hyperglycemic conditions.
- Proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-12, IL-6) and 5-HETE levels were elevated.
Conclusions:
- Macrophage exposure to modified LDL in hyperglycemic hyperinsulinemic conditions disrupts insulin signaling.
- This exposure promotes the release of proinflammatory cytokines and eicosanoids.
- These inflammatory mediators may contribute to the development of insulin resistance.
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