Increased insulin binding by lymphocyte receptors induced by beta-OH butyrate

The serum concentration of ketones increases in both fasting and diabetic ketoacidosis. Whether ketones alter, independent of changes in pH, in number and affinity of insulin receptors is not known. The binding of insulin 125I by 24 X 10(6)IM-9 lymphocyte cells was examined in both the presence and absence of 8 mM beta-OH butyrate. Studies were conducted at multiple concentrations of insulin. A consistent increase of insulin binding was induced by beta-OH butyrate. The mean maximum increase of insulin binding was 35%, which achieved significance at the 1% level.