Post-receptor insulin resistance after diazoxide in non-insulin dependent diabetes

Insulin binding to monocytes and the counterregulatory hormone response to intravenous insulin was determined in six normal subjects and eight patients with non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), before and after seven days treatment with oral diazoxide. In the normal subjects diazoxide had no effect on insulin binding or sensitivity. In the patients with NIDDM diazoxide caused resistance to intravenous insulin with no change in the counterregulatory hormone response or in insulin binding to account for this. Diazoxide appears to cause post-receptor insulin resistance in NIDDM, and it may be a useful tool for studying post-receptor binding events.