[Insulin resistance and hypertension]

It was recently suggested that insulin resistance present in diabetes and obesity may contribute to hypertension that frequently associates with both conditions. It has been proposed that the resulting hyperinsulinemia may induce hypertension through four possible mechanisms: Its trophic effect on vascular smooth muscle cells, increasing cytosolic calcium, increasing tubular sodium reabsorption or by stimulating adrenergic activity. Other studies however, did not confirm the ability of insulin to elevate blood pressure suggesting that the association between hypertension and hyperinsulinemia may no be a cause effect relationship, instead both phenomena may be secondary to the same cause. It has been suggested that adrenergic hyperactivity, changes in cellular ionic flux and alterations in microcirculation can induce both hypertension and insulin resistance.