Glucocorticoids and insulin sensitivity: dissociation of insulin's metabolic and vascular actions

Perry, C.G., Spiers, A., Cleland, S.J., Lowe, G.D.O., Petrie, J.R. and Connell, J.M.C. (2003) Glucocorticoids and insulin sensitivity: dissociation of insulin's metabolic and vascular actions. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, 88(12), pp. 6008-6014. (doi: 10.1210/jc.2002-021605)

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Publisher's URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1210/jc.2002-021605

Abstract

Insulin sensitivity in tissues such as a skeletal muscle and fat is closely correlated with insulin action in the vasculature, but the mechanism underlying this is unclear. We investigated the effect of dexamethasone on insulin-stimulated glucose disposal and vasodilation in healthy males to test the hypothesis that a reduction in glucose disposal would be accompanied by a reduction in insulin action in the vasculature. We performed a double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over trial comparing insulin sensitivity ( measured by the euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp) and vascular insulin action ( measured by small vessel wire myography) in young healthy males allocated to placebo or 1 mg dexamethasone twice daily for 6 d, each in random order. Six days of dexamethasone therapy was associated with a 30% (95% confidence interval, 19.1 - 40.0%) fall in insulin sensitivity. Despite this, there was no difference in insulin-mediated vasodilation between phases. Dexamethasone had no effect on circulating markers of endothelial function, such as D-dimer, von Willebrand factor, and tissue plasminogen activator. By short-term exposure to high dose dexamethasone we were able to differentially affect the metabolic and vascular actions of insulin. This implies that, using this model, there is physiological uncoupling of the effects of insulin in different tissues.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Perry, Dr Colin and Petrie, Professor John and Connell, Professor John and Lowe, Professor Gordon and Cleland, Dr Stephen
Authors: Perry, C.G., Spiers, A., Cleland, S.J., Lowe, G.D.O., Petrie, J.R., and Connell, J.M.C.
Subjects:R Medicine > RC Internal medicine
Q Science > QP Physiology
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Health
College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences
Journal Name:Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism
ISSN:0021-972X

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