Hyperinsulinemia in newly diagnosed patients with multiple sclerosis

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Metabolic Research
• Immunology

Background:

• Glucose metabolism dysregulation is under-researched in multiple sclerosis (MS).
• Understanding metabolic changes is crucial for MS patient care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate glucose and insulin response during an oral glucose tolerance test (oGTT) in newly diagnosed, untreated MS patients.
• To compare metabolic parameters between MS patients and healthy controls.

Main Methods:

• 19 MS patients and 19 matched healthy controls underwent an oGTT.
• Plasma glucose, lactate, insulin, GLP-1, adipokines, lipids, and inflammatory markers were analyzed.
• Insulin sensitivity indices (ISI) were calculated.

Main Results:

• MS patients exhibited increased insulin response to oral glucose (p=0.022).
• Insulin sensitivity was significantly lower in MS patients compared to controls (ISI Matsuda p=0.011, ISI Cederholm p=0.032).
• No significant differences were found in lactate, GLP-1, lipid profiles, or inflammatory markers.

Conclusions:

• Newly diagnosed MS patients present with decreased insulin sensitivity and postprandial hyperinsulinemia.
• These metabolic alterations are not linked to chronic inflammation or physical inactivity.
• The impact of hyperinsulinemia on central nervous system (CNS) function in MS requires further study.