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O Pedersen

Publications and source records attributed to O Pedersen.

At least 217 records · Page 12Linked to original sources
PubMed1990

Exercise-enhanced activation of glycogen synthase in human skeletal muscle.

The present study was undertaken to elucidate aspects of the regulatory mechanisms leading to enhanced glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity of muscle after physical exertion. Biopsies were obtained from the vastus lateralis muscle of healthy volunteers before and after 60 min of bicycle exercise at 60% of their maximal aerobic capacity. Insulin binding to wheat germ agglutinin-purified muscle insulin receptors as well as basal and insulin-stimulated receptor kinase activity toward an exogenous substrate were unaltered by exercise. Muscle glycogen levels diminished from 3.35 +/- 0.26 to 1.85 +/- 0.13 mg/100 mg muscle (P less than 0.01) and the half-maximal activation constant of glycogen synthase for glucose 6-phosphate decreased from 0.62 +/- 0.05 to 0.25 +/- 0.02 mM (P less than 0.001). Total glycogen synthase activity was unchanged. In the absence of phosphatase inhibitors, glucose 6-phosphate-independent glycogen synthase activity of the crude enzyme extract increased during in vitro incubation. The initial rate of activation (through dephosphorylations) of glycogen synthase was 0.18 +/- 0.06 vs. 0.37 +/- 0.03 U.min-1.mg-1 protein before and after exercise, respectively (P less than 0.02). The total as well as the glycogen-associated phosphoprotein phosphatase activity was, however, unaffected by exercise.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Effect of endurance training on glucose transport capacity and glucose transporter expression in rat skeletal muscle.

The effect of 10 wk endurance swim training on 3-O-methylglucose (3-MG) uptake (at 40 mM 3-MG) in skeletal muscle was studied in the perfused rat hindquarter. Training resulted in an increase of approximately 33% for maximum insulin-stimulated 3-MG transport in fast-twitch red fibers and an increase of approximately 33% for contraction-stimulated transport in slow-twitch red fibers compared with nonexercised sedentary muscle. A fully additive effect of insulin and contractions was observed both in trained and untrained muscle. Compared with transport in control rats subjected to an almost exhaustive single exercise session the day before experiment both maximum insulin- and contraction-stimulated transport rates were increased in all muscle types in trained rats. Accordingly, the increased glucose transport capacity in trained muscle was not due to a residual effect of the last training session. Half-times for reversal of contraction-induced glucose transport were similar in trained and untrained muscles. The concentrations of mRNA for GLUT-1 (the erythrocyte-brain-Hep G2 glucose transporter) and GLUT-4 (the adipocyte-muscle glucose transporter) were increased approximately twofold by training in fast-twitch red muscle fibers. In parallel to this, Western blot demonstrated a approximately 47% increase in GLUT-1 protein and a approximately 31% increase in GLUT-4 protein. This indicates that the increases in maximum velocity for 3-MG transport in trained muscle is due to an increased number of glucose transporters.

3-O-Methylglucose↗
PubMed1990

Evidence against altered expression of GLUT1 or GLUT4 in skeletal muscle of patients with obesity or NIDDM.

Studies of experimental diabetes in rodents induced by the beta-cell toxin streptozocin have shown that the insulin-resistant glucose transport of peripheral tissues (muscle and adipose) in these animals can be ascribed in part to a pretranslational reduction of the major insulin-sensitive glucose transporter (GLUT4) in these tissues. Because a central feature of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) is an imparied ability of insulin to enhance glucose disposal in skeletal muscle, we examined the hypothesis that reduced expression of GLUT4 is a characteristic finding in the skeletal muscle of subjects with NIDDM. Biopsies of skeletal muscles were obtained from 17 patients with NIDDM and 10 lean and 9 obese nondiabetic subjects. Among the diabetic subjects, 7 were newly diagnosed and untreated. Compared with age-matched and body-weight-matched healthy control subjects, there was no significant alteration in the level of GLUT4 mRNA demonstrated by Northern blot and slot blot or GLUT4 protein determined by immunoblotting muscle membranes. Neither GLUT4 mRNA nor protein concentration correlated with the degree of glycemic control, fasting plasma insulin or glucose, diabetes duration, body mass index, sex, or age. GLUT1 mRNA and protein levels were also not significantly different between diabetic and matched control subjects. Thus, unlike streptozocin-induced diabetes in rodents, there is no evidence that impaired expression of the major insulin-responsive glucose transporter is responsible for insulin-resistant glucose transport in the skeletal muscle of these lean and moderately obese NIDDM patients.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Acute actions of sulfonylurea drugs during long-term treatment of NIDDM.

The acute effect of sulfonylurea drugs during long-term treatment was evaluated in two separate studies. In the first study, the levels of plasma glucose, insulin, and C-peptide were measured after intake of 10 mg glyburide alone or together with a standardized mixed meal in 10 non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) patients treated with 10-20 mg glyburide/day for greater than 2 yr. There was no acute effect of glyburide on the insulin and C-peptide responses to the meal or during continued fasting, indicating the absence of an acute insulinotropic action of glyburide during chronic treatment. The glucose increase after the meal was also unchanged, but a significant glucose reduction was found after glyburide intake during continued fasting, suggesting a sustained acute extrapancreatic (hepatic) effect. In the second study, the diurnal glycemic excursions in 8 NIDDM patients chronically and continuously (24 h/day) exposed to glipizide (2.5-7.5 mg 3 times/day) were similar when the drug was taken 30 min before each of the three main meals and when taken immediately before the meals. It is concluded that there is no acute insulinotropic action of sulfonylurea drugs during chronic continuous exposure, whereas an acute extrapancreatic action may prevail. During such exposure, there seems to be no clinical benefit in taking a sulfonylurea 30 min before rather than at the start of a meal.

Aged↗
PubMed1989

The plasma C-peptide and insulin responses to stimulation with intravenous glucagon and a mixed meal in well-controlled type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus: dependency on acutely established hyperglycaemia.

The dose-response relationships between acutely established hyperglycaemia and the plasma C-peptide and insulin responses to i.v. stimulation with 1 mg of glucagon and a standard mixed meal were investigated in 10 patients with well-controlled Type 2 (non-insulin dependent) diabetes mellitus. Hyperglycaemia was maintained for 90 min before stimulation using a hyperglycaemic clamp technique. Each test was performed on different steady state blood glucose levels of approximately 6 mmol/l, approximately 12 mmol/l, and approximately 20 mmol/l, respectively. The plasma C-peptide and insulin responses after glucagon and the meal were potentiated markedly at each level of prestimulatory hyperglycaemia. After glucagon injection, the relative glucose potentiation of the insulin response was significantly higher than the relative glucose potentiation of the C-peptide response at each level of hyperglycaemia (p less than 0.01). This difference may be explained by a higher fractional hepatic removal of insulin at normoglycaemia, since the molar ratio between the incremental C-peptide and insulin responses after glucagon stimulation was higher at prestimulatory normoglycaemia (4.85 (3.65-12.05] than at the prestimulatory blood glucose concentrations approximately 12 mmol/l (2.41 (2.05-4.09] (p less than 0.01) and approximately 20 mmol/l (2.24 (1.37-3.62] (p less than 0.01). In conclusion, the islet B-cell responses to glucagon and a standard mixed meal are potentiated to a high degree by acutely established prestimulatory hyperglycaemia in patients with well-controlled Type 2 diabetes. Acute prestimulatory hyperglycaemia is also associated with a markedly reduced incremental C-peptide/insulin ratio after glucagon stimulation in such patients.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Blood Glucose↗
PubMed1989

The effects of metformin on adipocyte insulin action and metabolic control in obese subjects with type 2 diabetes.

To investigate the mechanisms of action of metformin, insulin receptor binding and the activity of several insulin-controlled metabolic pathways were measured in adipocytes taken from 10 obese Type 2 diabetic patients treated for 4 weeks with either metformin (0.5 g x 3 daily) or matching placebo using a double-blind crossover design. Metformin therapy was associated with a significant fall in serum fructosamine levels (3.1 +/- 0.4 vs 2.8 +/- 0.4 mmol l-1, p less than 0.02) as well as fasting (10.8 +/- 2.4 vs 9.4 +/- 2.1 mmol l-1) and daytime (11.5 +/- 2.4 vs 10.0 +/- 2.2 mmol l-1) plasma glucose concentrations (p less than 0.05). Fasting and postprandial plasma levels of C-peptide and insulin were unchanged. While fasting plasma lactate concentrations remained unaltered after metformin, a rise was noted in response to meals (from 1.4 +/- 0.1 to 1.8 +/- 0.2 mmol l-1, p less than 0.05). Adipocyte insulin receptor binding was unaffected by drug treatment. Moreover, no insulin-like effects or post-binding potentiation of insulin action could be found on adipocyte glucose transport, glucose oxidation, lipogenesis, glycolysis or antilipolysis. A complementary in vitro study using adipocytes from non-obese healthy volunteers failed to show any direct effect of metformin on adipocyte insulin binding or glucose transport and metabolism, at media drug concentrations corresponding to therapeutic plasma levels.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1989

Primordial birdheaded nanism associated with progressive ataxia, early onset insulin resistant diabetes, goiter and primary gonadal insufficiency. A new syndrome.

A new syndrome in two siblings with primordial birdheaded nanism, progressive ataxia, goiter, primary gonadal insufficiency and insulin resistant diabetes mellitus is presented. Plasma concentrations of TSH, PTH, LH, FSH, ACTH, glucagon and insulin all working through cell membrane receptors were elevated. A generalized cell membrane defect was suggested to be the pathophysiological abnormality in these patients.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Alterations in the hepatic insulin receptor kinase in genetic and acquired obesity in rats.

Obesity is associated with insulin resistance and type II diabetes mellitus. In the present study, we have characterized hepatic insulin receptor function in two animal models of obesity: the Zucker fatty rat (ZFR), a model of genetic obesity with severe hyperinsulinemia, and the Sprague-Dawley rat with dietary obesity, a model of acquired obesity. Zucker fatty rats were also treated with streptozotocin (STZ) in an effort to examine the effects of relative insulin deficiency and hyperglycemia in the setting of obesity. Using wheat germ agglutinin-purified insulin receptor extracted from liver, no significant difference in insulin binding was identified in either model of obesity. beta-Subunit autophosphorylation was significantly decreased in both obese models relative to that in controls (72% in the obese ZFR and 49% in the overfed Sprague-Dawley model). Kinase activity, as measured by phosphorylation of the 1142-1153 synthetic peptide, was also decreased in both models of obesity by 22% and 64%, respectively. In the Zucker rat, STZ treatment led to an 80% increase in receptor concentration and a further 70% increase in beta-subunit autophosphorylation per receptor, whereas tyrosine kinase activity toward substrate was not altered. Since kinase activity is closely linked to autophosphorylation, we determined the fraction of autophosphorylated (activated) receptors vs. non-phosphorylated (inactive) receptors by using antiphosphotyrosine antibody to precipitate receptors bound with [125I]insulin. There was no significant difference in the percentage of activated insulin receptors in the dietary obese, ZFR, or STZ-treated Zucker rat vs. that in the controls. In all models, the percentage of activated receptors ranged from 32-46% of the total receptor pool. These data suggest that in genetic and acquired obesity, autophosphorylation of the beta-subunit is reduced and is a limiting factor in insulin receptor activation. A similar fraction of all receptors appears to undergo some level of autophosphorylation; however, full autophosphorylation and, thus, activation of the receptor do not occur, and this results in a decrease in kinase activity. This block in autophosphorylation may account for significant reductions in insulin receptor kinase function in obesity.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1989

Insulin receptor function and glycogen synthase activity in skeletal muscle biopsies from patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus: effects of physical training.

This study was designed to examine the mechanisms causing peripheral insulin resistance in patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) by studying insulin receptor function and glycogen synthase activity in biopsies of skeletal muscle. The results in seven such patients were compared with values obtained in a group of sedentary, age- and sex-matched normal subjects. In addition, since physical training appears to improve insulin sensitivity, the IDDM patients were reexamined after physical training for 6 weeks. The mean maximal glycogen synthase activity was lower in the diabetic than in the normal group [34.5 +/- 10.6 (+/- SD) vs. 45.7 +/- 8.6 nmol/mg protein.min; P less than 0.05], whereas there was no difference in the half-maximal activation constant (A0.5) for glucose-6-phosphate. Likewise, the mean yield of wheat germ agglutinin-purified insulin receptors recovered per mg muscle was 21% lower in the muscle biopsies from the diabetic patients (47 +/- 8 vs. 66 +/- 20 fmol/100 mg; P less than 0.05. However, basal and insulin-stimulated receptor kinase activities, expressed as phosphorylation of the synthetic peptide poly-Glu-Tyr(4:1), were identical in the two groups. After physical training in the diabetic patients the mean maximal oxygen uptake increased from 45.7 +/- 7.4 to 48.9 +/- 9.0 mL O2/kg.min (P less than 0.05), hemoglobin A1c decreased from 7.9 +/- 1.4% to 7.7 +/- 1.5% (P less than 0.05), and insulin requirements decreased from 43 +/- 9 to 38 +/- 8 U/day (P less than 0.05). The number of recovered insulin receptors did not increase, and the receptor kinase activity was similar to the pre-training value. Maximal glycogen synthase activity increased by 15% (P less than 0.02), whereas A0.5 for glucose-6-phosphate did not change. We conclude that insulin binding to muscle-derived insulin receptors is impaired in IDDM patients, whereas receptor kinase function appears to be normal. The capacity for glycogen storage in the diabetic skeletal muscle was reduced. Physical training tended to normalize glycogen synthase activity, but did not improve insulin receptor function significantly.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Metformin improves peripheral but not hepatic insulin action in obese patients with type II diabetes.

UNLABELLED: Nine obese patients with Type II diabetes mellitus were examined in a double-blind cross-over study. Metformin 0.5 g trice daily or placebo were given for 4 weeks. At the end of each period fasting and day-time postprandial values of plasma glucose, insulin, C-peptide and lactate were determined, and in vivo insulin action was assessed using the euglycemic clamp in combination with [3-3H]glucose tracer technique. Metformin treatment significantly reduced mean day-time plasma glucose levels (10.2 +/- 1.2 vs 11.4 +/- 1.2 mmol/l, P less than 0.01) without enhancing mean day-time plasma insulin (43 +/- 4 vs 50 +/- 7 mU/l, NS) or C-peptide levels (1.26 +/- 0.12 vs 1.38 +/- 0.18 nmol/l, NS). Fasting plasma lactate was unchanged (1.57 +/- 0.16 vs 1.44 +/- 0.11 mmol/l, NS), whereas mean day-time plasma lactate concentrations were slightly increased (1.78 +/- 0.11 vs 1.38 +/- 0.11 mmol/l, P less than 0.01). The clamp study revealed that metformin treatment was associated with an enhanced insulin-mediated glucose utilization (370 +/- 38 vs 313 +/- 33 mg.m-2.min-1, P less than 0.01), whereas insulin-mediated suppression of hepatic glucose production was unchanged. Also basal glucose clearance was improved (61.0 +/- 5.8 vs 50.6 +/- 2.8 ml.m-2.min-1, P less than 0.05), whereas basal hepatic glucose production was unchanged (81 +/- 6 vs 77 +/- 4 mg.m-2.min-1, NS). CONCLUSIONS: 1) Metformin treatment in obese Type II diabetic patients reduces hyperglycemia without changing the insulin secretion.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Blood Glucose↗
PubMed1989

Activity of insulin receptor kinase and glycogen synthase in skeletal muscle from patients with chronic renal failure.

To examine subcellular mechanisms behind the pathogenesis of peripheral insulin resistance in chronic uremic patients, insulin receptor function and glycogen synthase activity were studied in biopsies of skeletal muscle obtained during renal transplant surgery in 9 non-diabetic uremic patients. The results were compared with values obtained in an age- and sex-matched group of subjects with normal renal function, undergoing surgery for urological or gynecological diseases. The recovery of solubilized, wheat germ agglutinin-purified insulin receptors from skeletal muscle was increased among the uremic patients: 49.3 +/- 6.1 vs 31.4 +/- 2.8 fmol/100 mg muscle in healthy controls (p less than 0.03). Basal as well as insulin-stimulated kinase activities of the insulin receptors, expressed as phosphorylation of the synthetic peptide poly(Glu-Tyr(4:1] were similar. In addition, the maximal activity of the glycogen synthase was enhanced in uremic muscle: 26.6 +/- 2.8 vs 19.5 +/- 1.8 nmol.(mg protein)-1.min-1 (p less than 0.05), whereas the half-maximal activation constant for glucose-6-phosphate was identical in the two groups. Likewise, the muscle glycogen concentrations were similar in the uremic patients and the normal controls. In conclusion, our data suggest that neither impaired insulin receptor function nor a reduced maximal glycogen synthase activity of skeletal muscle are involved in the pathogenesis of the insulin resistance of patients with chronic renal failure.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Postreceptor effects of sulfonylurea on skeletal muscle glycogen synthase activity in type II diabetic patients.

To elucidate the subcellular mechanism of action of sulfonylurea on glucose utilization of skeletal muscle, we studied nine newly diagnosed patients with type II (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes. Examinations were performed before and after 8 wk of gliclazide therapy. Gliclazide treatment was associated with improved glycemic control and enhanced pancreatic beta-cell responses to meal stimulation. During euglycemic insulin clamps, insulin-inhibited endogenous glucose production was improved after gliclazide therapy. Moreover, mean (+/- SE) glucose disposal rate increased from 3.2 +/- 0.7 to 4.8 +/- 0.8 and from 7.9 +/- 0.9 to 10.4 +/- 0.9 mg.kg-1.min-1 at in vivo plasma insulin levels of approximately 75 and approximately 320 mU/L, respectively. In addition, insulin-receptor function and glycogen synthase activity were analyzed in skeletal muscle biopsies obtained in seven patients. The biopsies were obtained during basal insulinemia and hyperinsulinemia (approximately 320 mU/L) before and after treatment. Insulin receptors purified with wheatgerm agglutinin showed unchanged insulin-binding properties and unchanged receptor kinase function with respect to basal and insulin-stimulated phosphorylation of exogenous peptide poly(Glu80Tyr20). Gliclazide treatment had no effect on the maximal activities of glycogen synthase. Moreover, in biopsies obtained at basal insulinemia, the half-maximal activation constant for glucose 6-phosphate (A0.5) was identical before and after therapy (0.54 +/- 0.05 vs. 0.54 +/- 0.05 mM, respectively, NS). However, in biopsies obtained at hyperinsulinemia, A0.5 was 0.30 +/- 0.05 vs. 0.20 +/- 0.02 mM before and after gliclazide therapy, P less than .04.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters↗
PubMed1989

Renal effects from limitation of high dietary protein in normoalbuminuric diabetic patients.

Glomerular hyperfiltration may be a risk factor for late nephropathy. It has been shown that considerable protein restriction can lower glomerular filtration rate (GFR). To elucidate the effect of moderate protein limitation in type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetics with normoalbuminuria, eight such patients were selected for the study (age 38 +/- 7 years SD, diabetes duration 21 +/- 9 years). The patients were randomized to follow, alternately, four weeks of their usual protein intake (19% of energy) and four weeks of a limited protein intake (12% of energy). Kidney function was investigated after the two dietary periods. GFR and renal plasma flow (RPF) were measured using a constant infusion technique (125I-iothalamate/131I-hippuran), and urinary albumin excretion (UAE) by radioimmunoassay. It was found that the limited protein diet reduced GFR from 146 +/- 23 to 132 +/- 24 ml/min/1.73 m2 (2P less than 0.005). A tendency towards a fall in RPF was seen (549 +/- 128 vs. 503 +/- 125 ml/min; 2P = 0.06), while total renal resistance rose from 0.17 +/- 0.03 to 0.20 +/- 0.05 mm Hg/ml/min (2P = 0.05). No significant changes in filtration fraction, UAE and blood pressure were seen. HbA1c, fructosamine, insulin dose and body weight were unchanged during the two diets; also serum protein, albumin, phosphate and calcium remained unaltered. Serum urea was significantly reduced on the limited protein intake. Patients were generally pleased with the limited protein diet. Thus, limitation of the often high protein intake in diabetics might be valuable and realistic. The long-term renal protective effect remains to be investigated.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Transport and metabolism of D-glucose in human adipocytes. Studies of the dependence on medium glucose and insulin concentrations.

Uptake and metabolism of the physiologically labelled D-glucose (D-[U-14C]glucose) has been characterized in human adipocytes at several unlabelled D-glucose concentrations in the absence and presence of insulin. Following a 90 min incubation, about 80% of the intracellular radioactivity was incorporated into total lipids at tracer glucose concentration, as well as at higher glucose concentrations in basal and insulin-stimulated cells, whereas 20% was recovered as hydrophilic metabolites. The only 14C-labelled metabolite escaping the cells in detectable amounts was CO2, which accounted about 4%. At trace glucose concentrations (5 mumol/l), the rate of glucose uptake was linear with time. Comparative studies of initial glucose uptake after 10 s and tracer D-glucose conversion to total lipids after 90 min showed high coefficients of correlation between basal rates (r = 0.87), maximal response above basal level to insulin (r = 0.92) and insulin sensitivity (r = 0.78). Thus, under these conditions glucose transport is rate-limiting for net glucose uptake, and measurements over long time intervals of rates for total cell-associated radioactivity or lipogenesis may serve as reliable estimates of initial glucose influx rates. However, the conversion rate of tracer glucose to metabolites decreased progressively with the glucose concentration and with an apparent Km of about 0.2 mmol/l. The three metabolic pathways exhibited similar percentage decreases in their activities, suggesting that a common enzymatic step is rate-limiting. In comparison, the Km for initial D-glucose uptake rate was about 7 mmol/l. Hence, the capacity for total glucose metabolism comprised only a small fraction of the glucose transport capacity at medium glucose concentrations above tracer concentrations. Both basal, half-maximal and maximal insulin-stimulated rates of adipocyte glucose utilization were dependent on the glucose concentration. Thus, comparing lipogenesis at tracer and at 0.5 mmol/l medium glucose concentration, it was shown that the higher medium glucose concentration was associated with a 60% lowering of the basal rate, a 35% reduction in the percentage response above baseline to maximal insulin stimulation and a 4-fold increase in the insulin sensitivity. Obviously, these findings reflect some intracellular step(s) being rate-limiting at medium glucose levels above tracer values.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1988

A mixed meal potentiates the insulin sensitivity of glucose transport and metabolism in adipocytes from patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Post-glucose enhancement of insulin action may represent a physiological mechanism for the acute regulation of insulin sensitivity of target tissues. To clarify whether a similar mechanism is operative in the insulin-resistant diabetic state we have investigated the effects of a mixed meal on adipocyte insulin action in eight patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus. Ninety minutes after ingestion of breakfast insulin binding to fat cells increased by 21% (p less than 0.05). In the fasting state 6 patients had a significant response of glucose transport and lipogenesis to insulin whereas two exhibited non-responsiveness. In the 6 responders insulin sensitivity, as estimated by the insulin concentration at which half-maximal effect was achieved, increased for glucose transport (before, 260 +/- 46 pmoll-1; after, 105 +/- 21 pmol l-1; p less than 0.05) and for lipogenesis (before, 36 +/- 9 pmol l-1; after, 9 +/- 2 pmol l-1; p less than 0.05). No significant changes occurred in basal or maximal glucose transport or lipogenesis. In the two primary non-responders intake of the meal was associated with average increase in maximal insulin responsiveness of 52% for glucose transport and 28% for lipogenesis. Intake of a mixed meal is associated with a slight increase of insulin binding to adipocytes from patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus but a marked increase of adipocyte insulin sensitivity at the post-binding levels of glucose transport and metabolism.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1988

Comparative studies of insulin binding to receptor from adipocytes, hepatocytes, monocytes and erythrocytes from the pig. Similarities with insulin receptor binding in man.

We have described the receptor binding of A14-labelled [125I]insulin to viable adipocytes, hepatocytes, monocytes and erythrocytes from the pig. For all cell types the binding was of high affinity, specific for insulin, the non-specific binding low and degradation of insulin in the medium was minimal. At 24 degrees C, steady state insulin binding was achieved in all four cell types. At 37 degrees C, steady state insulin binding could be measured to adipocytes and hepatocytes. Specific insulin binding levels and receptor affinity for blood and fat cells from the pig are comparable to that in human cells, whereas differences, especially according to affinity, exist between pig and rat cell insulin receptor binding. It is therefore concluded that the pig is a more suitable model for studies of insulin binding in man than rodents. Finally, no correlations between the individual binding levels to the different cell types were observed. Hence, measurement of insulin binding to the easier available blood cells cannot replace studies of insulin binding to target cells of insulin.

Adipose Tissue↗