Insulin-mediated vasodilation and glucose uptake are functionally linked in humans

Cleland, S.J., Petrie, J.R., Ueda, S., Elliott, H.L. and Connell, J.M.C. (1998) Insulin-mediated vasodilation and glucose uptake are functionally linked in humans. Hypertension, 33, pp. 554-558. (doi: 10.1161/​01.HYP.33.1.554)

Abstract

Intra-arterial infusion of insulin in physiological doses causes forearm vasodilation which is augmented by co-infusion of D-glucose, leading us to speculate that local insulin-mediated vasodilation may depend on insulin-mediated glucose uptake. We have examined the relationship between whole-body insulin sensitivity and forearm vasodilation in response to local infusion of insulin/glucose, thus avoiding any confounding effects of sympathetic stimulation on peripheral blood flow. Eighteen healthy, normotensive male volunteers (age, 26±5.4 years) attended on two separate occasions for measurement of: (1) whole-body insulin sensitivity with use of the hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp; (2) forearm vasodilation in response to an intra-arterial infusion of insulin/glucose with use of bilateral venous occlusion plethysmography. Insulin-mediated glucose uptake (M) for the group (mean±SD) was 10.0±2.2 mg · kg-1 · min-1, and the percentage change in forearm blood flow ratio (%FBFR) for the group (median, interquartile range) was 28.2% (13.6, 48.6). In univariate analysis, M was significantly correlated with %FBFR (rs=0.60, P<0.05), but not with body mass index (BMI) (rs=-0.42), age (r=-0.39) or mean arterial pressure (r=0.13). In multiple regression analysis, %FBFR remained a significant independent predictor of M (R2 (adj)=0.48, t=3.23, P<0.01) in a model involving BMI, age, and blood pressure. These data support the concept of a significant functional relationship between insulin's metabolic and vascular actions, possibly at an endothelial level.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Connell, Professor John
• Authors: Cleland, S.J., Petrie, J.R., Ueda, S., Elliott, H.L., and Connell, J.M.C.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing
• Journal Name: Hypertension
• Publisher: American Heart Association
• ISSN: 0194-911X