Insulin resistance in Cushing's syndrome

Insulin resistance is well established in Cushing's syndrome, but its mechanisms are not completely understood. We performed the euglycemic insulin clamp technique on four patients with Cushing's syndrome, five obese patients and five normal volunteers, in order to determine the role of impairments in insulin responsiveness and insulin clearance in hypercorticism and obesity. Insulin was infused at 0.3, 1, 3 and 10 mU/kg/min, and steady-state glucose-infusion rates required to maintain euglycemia were determined. Glucose disposal at maximal insulin levels was 11.9 +/- 0.4 mg/kg/min in normals, with a 29% decrease in obese and a 42% decrease in Cushing's syndrome patients. Half maximally effective insulin concentrations were increased in both abnormal groups compared to normals. Maximal insulin clearance rates were 1460 +/- 200 ml/min/m2 in normals, not significantly changed in obese and 40% decreased in Cushing's syndrome patients. These results indicate that the insulin resistance in Cushing's syndrome is distinct from that occurring in obesity and is characterized by both decreased insulin responsiveness and decreased insulin clearance. These impairments could be caused by a common defect which may be at or distal to the glucose transport level.