Ihlemann N, Rask-Madsen C, Køber L, Torp-Pedersen C. Vascular insulin response is preserved in non‐diabetic patients with coronary artery disease, despite endothelial dysfunction.
SCAND CARDIOVASC J 2009;
38:22-7. [PMID:
15204243 DOI:
10.1080/14017430310016397]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) are often insulin resistant, a state that predisposes to increased atherosclerosis. Recently, it was suggested that a "vascular insulin resistance" could explain this association, causing endothelial dysfunction and hence atherosclerosis. We therefore studied the vascular insulin response in patients with CAD.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Nine non-diabetic patients with documented CAD and 31 lean healthy controls were examined. Forearm blood flow was measured by venous occlusion plethysmography. Dose-response studies of acetylcholine (ACh) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP) elicited endothelium-dependent and -independent vasodilation and were repeated during intra-arterial insulin infusion.
RESULTS
Patients were insulin resistant as determined by HOMA index. Insulin infusion resulted in high physiological levels of insulin in the forearm without systemic effects. Patients had a reduced ACh response but insulin infusion increased the ACh response equally in patients and controls (a mean increase of 74+/-37 vs 57+/-24%, patients vs controls, p=0.12). A minor increase of the SNP response was also noted during insulin infusion.
CONCLUSION
Vascular insulin response is intact in non-diabetic CAD patients in spite of insulin resistance and endothelial dysfunction.
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