Related Experiment Videos
Asymptomatic atherosclerosis and insulin resistance
M Laakso1, H Sarlund, R Salonen
1Department of Medicine, Kuopio University Central Hospital, Finland.
Arteriosclerosis and Thrombosis : a Journal of Vascular Biology
|July 1, 1991
Summary
Asymptomatic atherosclerosis is directly linked to insulin resistance, specifically reduced whole-body and nonoxidative glucose uptake. This finding provides the first direct evidence of this association in non-diabetic individuals.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Metabolic Syndrome
Background:
- High plasma insulin is linked to coronary heart disease risk in non-diabetic individuals.
- Insulin resistance is associated with lipid changes, atherosclerosis, and hypertension.
- Direct evidence linking insulin resistance to atherosclerosis is lacking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the direct association between insulin resistance and asymptomatic atherosclerosis.
- To characterize the nature of insulin resistance in subjects with atherosclerosis.
Main Methods:
- Studied 30 middle-aged nonobese subjects with asymptomatic atherosclerosis and 13 controls.
- Measured fasting glucose, insulin, C-peptide, and performed oral glucose tolerance tests.
- Utilized euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp studies to assess glucose uptake and disposal.
Main Results:
- Subjects with atherosclerosis showed a 20% reduction in whole-body glucose uptake (p=0.004).
- Nonoxidative glucose disposal was significantly reduced in subjects with atherosclerosis (p=0.004).
- Glucose oxidation, lipid oxidation, and potassium disposal were similar between groups.
Conclusions:
- Asymptomatic atherosclerosis is directly associated with insulin resistance.
- This insulin resistance is characterized by impaired whole-body and nonoxidative glucose uptake.
- The findings highlight a direct link between metabolic dysfunction and early-stage cardiovascular disease.