Low-dose angiotensin II increases glucose disposal rate during euglycemic hyperinsulinemia

To study the metabolic effects of angiotensin II we examined the glucose disposal rate and calf blood flow in healthy men (n = 39) during euglycemic hyperinsulinemia followed by a period with simultaneous angiotensin II infusion at a low dose (0.1 ng/kg/min). Angiotensin II infusion abruptly increased the glucose disposal rate significantly as compared with glucose disposal rate during euglycemic hyperinsulinemia only. There were no differences in blood glucose or plasma insulin between the euglycemic hyperinsulinemic and the angiotensin II infusion period. During hyperinsulinemia alone, blood pressure was unchanged while calf muscle blood flow increased significantly as compared with the baseline period, while during the angiotensin infusion the systolic blood pressure increased and calf blood flow decreased significantly as compared with the hyperinsulinemic period. We conclude that angiotensin II within physiological range stimulates insulin-mediated glucose uptake in healthy men. The mechanisms are, however, unclear, but changes in blood flow are probably not responsible for the observed effects.