Experimental hyperthyroidism does not induce hepatic insulin resistance in the miniature pig

The effect of hypo- and hyper-thyroidism on insulin-mediated alterations in tracer-determined glucose kinetics and the arterial concentration of gluconeogenic precursors were investigated in 24 h-starved conscious unrestrained miniature pigs. Hyperinsulinaemia (about 40 microunits/ml) decreased blood glucose and, transiently, glucose output at unaltered glucose utilization in all thyroid states: this effect was pronounced in hyperthyroid (-50%) and less in hypothyroid pigs (-25%) compared with euthyroid controls (-35%). We conclude that moderate experimental hyperthyroidism does not induce hepatic insulin resistance, whereas hypothyroidism slightly impairs insulin action with respect to the regulation of glucose output.