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Biomedical subjects

R N Bergman

Publications and source records attributed to R N Bergman.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

Defects in carbohydrate metabolism in oral contraceptive users without apparent metabolic risk factors.

We performed oral glucose tolerance tests and frequently sampled iv glucose tolerance tests in a cross-sectional sample of women taking monophasic norgestrel containing oral contraceptives (OC). The goal of the study was to quantify the individual factors that determine glucose tolerance to assess responsibility for the reduced glucose tolerance associated with the use of OCs. Subjects were selected using stringent criteria to exclude confounding effects of ethnicity, adiposity, or conditions that may predispose subjects to metabolic disorders. Users of the low dose OC (Lo/Ovral and Nordette) and high dose OC (Ovral) were compared to controls, who were required to never have used OCs or to have discontinued OC use for at least 24 months. Oral glucose tolerance tests results confirmed the development of impaired glucose tolerance in both pill groups. Frequently sampled iv glucose tolerance test data were analyzed using the minimal model method to estimate parameters of insulin sensitivity, glucose effectiveness (SG), and beta-cell function. Lo/Ovral users had lower insulin sensitivity and SG compared to controls and inappropriately low beta-cell function in relation to the insulin resistance. Ovral users had metabolic parameters that were not different from controls. Based upon comparisons between normal and impaired glucose tolerant subjects combined with stepwise regression analysis, we conclude that Lo/Ovral use results in insulin and glucose resistance, which is not compensated by increased beta-cell function. The reduced glucose tolerance is due primarily to the defect in SG, and these OC users may place themselves at higher risk for the development of diabetes or cardiovascular disease. The reduced tolerance in Ovral users cannot be explained by the parameters measured in this study. We speculate that these latter subjects represent a special self-selected population in which tolerance is regulated by other factors. Ovral appears to be well tolerated by these women.

Adolescent↗

Repeatability of insulin sensitivity and glucose effectiveness from the minimal model. Implications for study design.

To determine the repeatability of insulin sensitivity measurements generated by the minimal model, we subjected 11 normal men to 3 frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance tests (FSIGTs) over the course of 12 days under conditions of fixed diet and limited physical activity. FSIGTs were analyzed by the minimal model using a full, 30-sample data set, as well as a reduced, 12-sample data set that has been proposed for population studies. Minimal model insulin sensitivity index (SI) calculated from the 30-sample data set averaged 0.8 +/- 0.083 x 10(-4) min-1.(pmol/l)-1 (range 0.10-1.64 x 10(-4) min-1.(pmol/l)-1 with an average interday coefficient of variation (CV) of 20.2 +/- 3.2% (range 6-44%). Glucose effectiveness (SG) was slightly less repeatable, with an average interday variability of 25.1 +/- 8.8%. The mean CVs for first-phase insulin secretion (20.1 +/- 3.5%) and total insulin secretion (21.4 +/- 3.2%) were similar to the CV for SI. Mean insulin sensitivity calculated from the 12-sample data set (0.82 +/- 0.08 x 10(-4) min-1.(pmol/l)-1 was not significantly different from the mean calculated from the full data set (P = 0.37, paired Student's t test). However, the mean CV of SI calculated from the reduced data set tended to be greater than that calculated from the full data set (27.7 +/- 5.4% vs. 20.2 +/- 3.2%).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

Dynamics of glucose production and uptake are more closely related to insulin in hindlimb lymph than in thoracic duct lymph.

We previously reported a striking similarity between the dynamics of both glucose turnover and thoracic duct lymph insulin during euglycemic clamps (J Clin Invest 84:1620, 1989), which suggested that transendothelial insulin transport (TET) is rate-limiting for insulin action in vivo. Thoracic duct lymph, however, is primarily derived from insulin-insensitive tissues, which raises questions as to the physiological significance of this relationship. The relationship between glucose turnover and TET was thus examined in insulin-sensitive tissues by the simultaneous measurement of insulin in plasma, thoracic duct lymph, and hindlimb lymph during euglycemic clamps in normal anesthetized dogs (n = 8). Clamps consisted of two 3-h phases: a 0.6 mU.min-1.kg-1 insulin infusion (activation phase) followed by termination of the insulin infusion (deactivation phase). Lymph insulin was less than plasma insulin during both phases (P < 0.01) with steady-state hindlimb (120 +/- 12 pM) and thoracic duct lymph insulin (138 +/- 12 pM) 38 and 45%, respectively, lower than steady-state plasma insulin (222 +/- 24 pM) at the end of the activation phase (P < 0.05). Also, the rate of increase of lymph insulin was slower than plasma insulin during hormone infusion; half-time to steady-state was 8.8 +/- 2.0 min for plasma insulin, but longer for thoracic (25.8 +/- 3.5) and hindlimb lymph insulin (40.7 +/- 5.7 min). A very close relationship was observed during activation between the rate of increase of glucose uptake (Rd) and the increase in hindlimb lymph insulin (r2 = 0.92); this relationship was weaker for thoracic lymph (r2 = 0.74) and much weaker between glucose uptake and plasma insulin (r2 = 0.35). These data support the concept that interstitial insulin (represented by hindlimb lymph) is the signal that determines glucose uptake by insulin-sensitive tissues and that the rate of increase of glucose uptake is determined by transendothelial insulin transport into insulin-sensitive tissue. Also, during activation, hindlimb lymph insulin was a very strong predictor of the rate of suppression of hepatic glucose output (HGO) (r2 = 0.96), and the correlation with HGO was stronger than that for thoracic lymph (r2 = 0.85). The evidence that the rate of increase of Rd and the rate of suppression of HGO during insulin infusion are very strongly predicted by the time course of insulin in hindlimb lymph is consistent with the single-gateway hypothesis: the insulin transport rate across endothelium in insulin-sensitive tissue (skeletal muscle) determines the rate of glucose utilization and the suppression of hepatic glucose output.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Analysis of Variance↗

Pioglitazone increases insulin sensitivity, reduces blood glucose, insulin, and lipid levels, and lowers blood pressure, in obese, insulin-resistant rhesus monkeys.

The antidiabetic effects of pioglitazone hydrochloride were evaluated in 6 spontaneously obese, insulin-resistant rhesus monkeys. The animals were studied during six successive 2-wk treatment phases separated by 2-wk rest periods: two placebo phases; 0.3, 1.0, and 3.0 mg.kg-1 x day-1 pioglitazone hydrochloride phases; and a final placebo phase. During the second week of each treatment phase, serum insulin (immunoreactive insulin [IRI]), plasma glucose, and serum triglyceride (TG) levels were measured after an overnight fast and after a standardized meal. Blood pressure was measured and glucose tolerance tests (modified minimal model protocol) were performed a few days after the meal tests. Pioglitazone hydrochloride significantly improved fasting and postprandial levels of IRI, plasma glucose, and TG in a dose-related manner (P < 0.05). Fasting values during treatment with 3.0 mg.kg-1 x day-1 were reduced by 64% for IRI, 19% for plasma glucose, and 44% for TG compared with the placebo phase before treatment. Efficacy of pioglitazone hydrochloride was more marked for those animals with fasting hyperglycemia. Insulin sensitivity was increased by pioglitazone hydrochloride (P = 0.05), whereas glucose effectiveness and glucose disappearance rate were not detectably affected. Systolic and mean arterial blood pressures were significantly decreased by pioglitazone hydrochloride (P < 0.05). No toxic side effects of pioglitazone hydrochloride treatment were noted.

Animals↗

The contribution of insulin-dependent and insulin-independent glucose uptake to intravenous glucose tolerance in healthy human subjects.

Glucose disposal occurs by both insulin-independent and insulin-dependent mechanisms, the latter being determined by the interaction of insulin sensitivity and insulin secretion. To determine the role of insulin-independent and insulin-dependent factors in glucose tolerance, we performed intravenous glucose tolerance tests on 93 young healthy subjects (55 male, 38 female; 18-44 years of age; body mass index, 19.5-52.2 kg/m2). From these tests, we determined glucose tolerance as the glucose disappearance constant (Kg), calculated beta-cell function as the incremental insulin response to glucose for 19 min after an intravenous glucose bolus (IIR0-19), and derived an insulin sensitivity index (SI) and glucose effectiveness at basal insulin (SG) using the minimal model of glucose kinetics. To eliminate the effect of basal insulin on SG and estimate insulin-independent glucose uptake, we calculated glucose effectiveness at zero insulin (GEZI = SG - [SI x basal insulin]). Insulin-dependent glucose uptake was estimated as SI x IIR0-19, because the relationship between SI and beta-cell function has been shown to be hyperbolic. Using linear regression to determine the influence of these factors on glucose tolerance, we found that GEZI was significantly related to Kg (r = 0.70; P < 0.0001), suggesting a major contribution of insulin-independent glucose uptake to glucose disappearance. As expected, SI x IIR0-19 also correlated well with Kg (r = 0.74; P < 0.0001), confirming the importance of insulin-dependent glucose uptake to glucose tolerance. Although IIR0-19 alone correlated with Kg (r = 0.35; P = 0.0005), SI did not (r = 0.18; P > 0.08).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

The role of liver glucosensors in the integrated sympathetic response induced by deep hypoglycemia in dogs.

The significance of the portohepatic glucosensors for counterregulation in deep hypoglycemia (i.e., glycemia < 2.8 mM) was studied in chronically cannulated male mongrel dogs in the conscious state. A total of 16 experiments were carried out on 6 dogs using the liver clamp technique under hyperinsulinemic conditions (insulin infusion, 39 pmol.min-1.kg-1, 0-150 min). The level of glycemia presented to the liver was made to differ from the systemic arterial glucose level via portal glucose infusion. Tracer-determined rates of glucose clearance and hepatic glucose output (HGO) were assessed using D-[3-3H]glucose (0.26 microCi.min-1). Three protocols were used. In protocol I, liver clamp, systemic hypoglycemia at 2.60 +/- 0.09 mM, and liver glycemia at 3.86 +/- 0.05 mM were achieved with portal glucose infusion (28.2 +/- 3.0 mumol.min-1.kg-1). For protocol II, glucose was infused peripherally (18.2 +/- 4.3 mumol.min-1.kg-1), while systemic and liver glycemia were sustained at deep hypoglycemia, 2.50 +/- 0.08 mM. In protocol III, via peripheral glucose infusion (62.9 +/- 5.8 mumol.min-1.kg-1), systemic and liver glycemia were maintained at a level matched to the liver glycemia during protocol I (3.98 +/- 0.05 mM, P > 0.10). When compared with protocols I and III, the catecholamine response above basal was significantly greater during protocol II with liver and systemic deep hypoglycemia (7.30 +/- 1.51 and 2.89 +/- 0.5 nM for epinephrine and norepinephrine, respectively, P < 0.005). These values reflect net increases in the catecholamine responses of 100% and 85% for epinephrine and norepinephrine when compared with protocol I.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

A comparison between the minimal model and the glucose clamp in the assessment of insulin sensitivity across the spectrum of glucose tolerance. Insulin Resistance Atherosclerosis Study.

An insulin-modified frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance test (FSIGTT) with minimal model analysis was compared with the glucose clamp in 11 subjects with normal glucose tolerance (NGT), 20 with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), and 24 with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). The insulin sensitivity index (SI) was calculated from FSIGTT using 22- and 12-sample protocols (SI(22) and SI(12), respectively). Insulin sensitivity from the clamp was expressed as SI(clamp) and SIP(clamp). Minimal model parameters were similar when calculated with SI(22) and SI(12). SI could not be distinguished from 0 in approximately 50% of diabetic patients with either protocol. SI(22) correlated significantly with SI(clamp) in the whole group (r = 0.62), and in the NGT (r = 0.53), IGT (r = 0.48), and NIDDM (r = 0.41) groups (P < 0.05 for each). SI(12) correlated significantly with SI(clamp) in the whole group (r = 0.55, P < 0.001) and in the NGT (r = 0.53, P = 0.046) and IGT (r = 0.58, P = 0.008) but not NIDDM (r = 0.30, P = 0.085) groups. When SI(22), SI(clamp), and SIP(clamp) were expressed in the same units, SI(22) was 66 +/- 5% (mean +/- SE) and 50 +/- 8% lower than SI(clamp) and SIP(clamp), respectively. Thus, minimal model analysis of the insulin-modified FSIGTT provides estimates of insulin sensitivity that correlate significantly with those from the glucose clamp. The correlation was weaker, however, in NIDDM. The insulin-modified FSIGTT can be used as a simple test for assessment of insulin sensitivity in population studies involving nondiabetic subjects. Additional studies are needed before using this test routinely in patients with NIDDM.

Analysis of Variance↗

Caloric restriction per se is a significant factor in improvements in glycemic control and insulin sensitivity during weight loss in obese NIDDM patients.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects of caloric restriction, independent of differences in weight loss, on improvements in glycemic control, fasting insulin, and insulin sensitivity. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: We randomized 93 obese type II diabetic patients to two different degrees of calorie restriction (1,674 or 4,185 kJ/day; 400 or 1,000 kcal/day) and compared the changes in fasting glucose, fasting insulin, and insulin sensitivity that resulted from a comparable reduction in body weight (11% of initial body weight). Insulin sensitivity was assessed using the minimal model analysis of frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance tests. RESULTS: Despite equal weight losses, subjects in the 1,674 kJ/day (400 kcal) condition had lower fasting glucose levels (7.61 vs. 10.13 mM, P = 0.03) and greater insulin sensitivity (1.79 vs. 1.13, P = 0.04) after weight loss than did subjects in the 4,185 kJ/day (1,000 calorie) condition. Subjects were restudied 15 weeks later when both groups were consuming a 4,185 kJ/day (1,000 kcal/day) diet. Subjects who increased from 1,674 to 4,185 kJ (400 to 1,000 calories) had worse fasting glycemic control in spite of continued weight loss, whereas subjects who remained on 4,185 kJ (1,000 calories) throughout had further improvements in both blood glucose and insulin sensitivity with increased weight loss. CONCLUSIONS: Both degree of calorie restriction and magnitude of weight loss have independent effects on improvements in glycemic control and insulin sensitivity.

Adult↗

Insulin sensitivity, insulin secretion and glucose effectiveness in diabetic and non-diabetic cirrhotic patients.

In cirrhotic patients with normal fasting glucose levels both insulin insensitivity and a blunted early insulin response to oral glucose are important determinants of the degree of intolerance to oral glucose. It is not known whether the ability of hyperglycaemia per se to enhance glucose disposal (glucose effectiveness) is also impaired. It is also unclear whether overt diabetes is due to: (1) more marked insulin insensitivity; (2) impaired insulin secretion; (3) reduced glucose effectiveness; or (4) a combination of these mechanisms. We used the "minimal model" to analyse the results of a 3-h intravenous glucose tolerance test to assess glucose effectiveness, insulin sensitivity and insulin responses in 12 non-diabetic cirrhotic patients, 8 diabetic cirrhotic patients and 10 normal control subjects. Fasting blood glucose levels were 4.8 +/- 0.2, 7.5 +/- 0.6 and 4.7 +/- 0.1 mmol/l, respectively. Fasting insulin and C-peptide levels were higher in both cirrhotic patient groups compared with control subjects. The glucose clearance between 6 and 19 min after i.v. glucose was lower in both cirrhotic groups (non-diabetic, 1.56 +/- 0.14, diabetic, 0.76 +/- 0.06, control subjects, 2.49 +/- 0.16 min-1%, both p < 0.001 vs control subjects). Serum insulin peaked at 3 and 23 min in the non-diabetic cirrhotic patients and control subjects; both peaks were higher in the non-diabetic cirrhotic patients and showed a delayed return to basal levels.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Administration, Oral↗

The influence of luteinizing hormone and insulin on sex steroids and sex hormone-binding globulin in the polycystic ovarian syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between hyperinsulinemia, sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), and body mass index (BMI) on LH-induced hyperandrogenemia in patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). DESIGN: Insulin responses during an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) were assessed in 25 consecutive women with PCOS and 20 control women matched for BMI. Insulin responses and sensitivity (SI) were also determined using a frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance test (IVGTT). SETTING: The clinical research center at a university medical center. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Serum LH, SI, and basal, peak, and area under the curve (AUC-insulin responses) were determined and correlated with SHBG, androstenedione (A), T, and free T concentrations. RESULTS: Compared with controls, the AUC-insulin response during OGTT was greater in PCOS, with an average increase of 44%. During IVGTT, AUC-insulin response was also significantly higher in PCOS versus controls, with an average increase of 53%. In addition, SI was reduced in PCOS versus controls with an average decrease of 53%. The average differences in oral- and intravenous-glucose-induced hyperinsulinemia and in insulin sensitivity between PCOS and controls were relatively constant across the entire physiological range of BMI. In PCOS, baseline LH showed strong positive correlations with baseline A and T. However, there were no significant correlations between either basal, peak, or AUC-insulin response during OGTT and IVGTT with basal T or A concentrations or between insulin and androgen levels measured at 30-minute intervals throughout the OGTT. However, basal, peak, and AUC-insulin responses during OGTT were strongly correlated with fasting SHBG binding capacity. CONCLUSIONS: These data are consistent with the hypothesis that hyperinsulinemia in PCOS influences the biologically active component of T by lowering SHBG concentrations while having little apparent impact on LH-induced secretion of androgens in vivo.

Administration, Oral↗

Quantitation of measurement error with Optimal Segments: basis for adaptive time course smoothing.

We introduce a novel technique for estimating measurement error in time courses and other continuous curves. This error estimate is used to reconstruct the original (error-free) curve. The measurement error of the data is initially assumed, and the data are smoothed with "Optimal Segments" such that the smooth curve misses the data points by an average amount consistent with the assumed measurement error. Thus the differences between the smooth curve and the data points (the residuals) are tentatively assumed to represent the measurement error. This assumption is checked by testing the residuals for randomness. If the residuals are nonrandom, it is concluded that they do not resemble measurement error, and a new measurement error is assumed. This process continues reiteratively until a satisfactory (i.e., random) group of residuals is obtained. In this case the corresponding smooth curve is taken to represent the original curve. Monte Carlo simulations of selected typical situations demonstrated that this new method ("OOPSEG") estimates measurement error accurately and consistently in 30- and 15-point time courses (r = 0.91 and 0.78, respectively). Moreover, smooth curves calculated by OOPSEG were shown to accurately recreate (predict) original, error-free curves for a wide range of measurement errors (2-20%). We suggest that the ability to calculate measurement error and reconstruct the error-free shape of data curves has wide applicability in data analysis and experimental design.

Animals↗

Saturable transport of insulin from plasma into the central nervous system of dogs in vivo. A mechanism for regulated insulin delivery to the brain.

By acting in the central nervous system, circulating insulin may regulate food intake and body weight. We have previously shown that the kinetics of insulin uptake from plasma into cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) can best be explained by passage through an intermediate compartment. To determine if transport kinetics into this compartment were consistent with an insulin receptor-mediated transport process, we subjected overnight fasted, anesthetized dogs to euglycemic intravenous insulin infusions for 90 min over a wide range of plasma insulin levels (69-5,064 microU/ml) (n = 10). Plasma and CSF samples were collected over 8 h for determination of immunoreactive insulin levels, and the kinetics of insulin uptake from plasma into CSF were analyzed using a compartmental model with three components (plasma-->intermediate compartment-->CSF). By sampling frequently during rapid changes of plasma and CSF insulin levels, we were able to precisely estimate three parameters (average standard deviation 14%) characterizing the uptake of insulin from plasma, through the intermediate compartment and into CSF (k1k2); insulin entry into CSF and insulin clearance from the intermediate compartment (k2 + k3); and insulin clearance from CSF (k4). At physiologic plasma insulin levels (80 +/- 7.4 microU/ml), k1k2 was determined to be 10.7 x 10(-6) +/- 1.3 x 10(-6) min-2. With increasing plasma levels, however, k1k2 decreased progressively, being reduced sevenfold at supraphysiologic levels (5,064 microU/ml). The apparent KM of this saturation curve was 742 microU/ml (approximately 5 nM). In contrast, the rate constants for insulin removal from the intermediate compartment and from CSF did not vary with plasma insulin (k2 + k3 = 0.011 +/- 0.0019 min-1 and k4 = 0.046 +/- 0.021 min-1). We conclude that delivery of plasma insulin into the central nervous system is saturable, and is likely facilitated by an insulin-receptor mediated transport process.

Animals↗

Quantification of the relationship between insulin sensitivity and beta-cell function in human subjects. Evidence for a hyperbolic function.

To determine the relationship between insulin sensitivity and beta-cell function, we quantified the insulin sensitivity index using the minimal model in 93 relatively young, apparently healthy human subjects of varying degrees of obesity (55 male, 38 female; 18-44 yr of age; body mass index 19.5-52.2 kg/m2) and with fasting glucose levels < 6.4 mM. SI was compared with measures of body adiposity and beta-cell function. Although lean individuals showed a wide range of SI, body mass index and SI were related in a curvilinear manner (P < 0.0001) so that on average, an increase in body mass index was associated generally with a lower value for SI. The relationship between the SI and the beta-cell measures was more clearly curvilinear and reciprocal for fasting insulin (P < 0.0001), first-phase insulin response (AIRglucose; P < 0.0001), glucose potentiation slope (n = 56; P < 0.005), and beta-cell secretory capacity (AIRmax; n = 43; P < 0.0001). The curvilinear relationship between SI and the beta-cell measures could not be distinguished from a hyperbola, i.e., SI x beta-cell function = constant. This hyperbolic relationship described the data significantly better than a linear function (P < 0.05). The nature of this relationship is consistent with a regulated feedback loop control system such that for any difference in SI, a proportionate reciprocal difference occurs in insulin levels and responses in subjects with similar carbohydrate tolerance. We conclude that in human subjects with normal glucose tolerance and varying degrees of obesity, beta-cell function varies quantitatively with differences in insulin sensitivity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adipose Tissue↗

Reduced sample number for calculation of insulin sensitivity and glucose effectiveness from the minimal model. Suitability for use in population studies.

The FSIGT has been extensively applied to the minimal model of glucose kinetics to obtain noninvasive measures of Sl. The protocol has been modified by the addition of a bolus tolbutamide or insulin injection 20 min after glucose. Although the modified protocol has improved the Sl estimate, the method still requires a relatively large number of samples (n = 30). To reduce the total number of samples, we choose a sample schedule that minimizes the variance of the parameter estimates and the error in reconstructing the plasma insulin profile. With data from 10 subjects (BMI 30 +/- 7 kg/m2; Sl 0.9-10.2 x 10(-4) min-1.microU-1 x ml-1), a schedule consisting of 12 samples (0, 2, 4, 8, 19, 22, 30, 40, 50, 70, 90, and 180 min) was obtained. Estimates of Sl obtained from the reduced sampling schedule were then compared with those obtained with the full sampling schedule. In all 10 individuals, the Sl estimates were almost identical. A second, much larger data base consisting of 118 modified FSIGTs performed in 87 subjects (67 men, 20 women; BMI from 19.6 to 40 kg/m2 for men and 26.7 to 52.5 for women; Sl from 0.35 to 14.1 x 10(-4) min-1 x microU-1 x ml-1) was then used to independently assess the efficacy of the reduced sampling protocol. For this data base, the correlation between Sl, which was calculated from the full versus the reduced sampling schedule, was 0.95. The mean relative deviation was -1.5% (not significantly different from zero), and the SD of the relative deviation was 20.2%.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

Dynamics of hepatic and peripheral insulin effects suggest common rate-limiting step in vivo.

This study compares the dynamics and sensitivity of hepatic and peripheral insulin action in conscious dogs. Glucose turnover was measured simultaneously by HOT GINF tracer methodology and by hepatic AV differences. SRIF was infused during euglycemic clamps to suppress endogenous insulin and glucagon secretion. Basal plasma glucagon levels were recreated by intraportal replacement (2 ng.min-1 x kg-1), and insulin was infused intraportally at 0, 3, 6, 10, or 20 pmol.min-1 x kg-1 for 3 h. Steady-state HGO and NHGO were suppressed by insulin with EC50s of 164 and 95 pM, respectively. As expected, these were lower than the EC50 for Rd stimulation (516 pM), demonstrating greater hepatic than peripheral insulin sensitivity. In contrast to sensitivity, dynamics for suppression of HGO and NHGO and for stimulation of Rd by insulin were indistinguishable: half-times averaged 43 +/- 5, 42 +/- 9, and 45 +/- 5 min, respectively (P > 0.77). For all three variables, the half-time of insulin effect was independent of insulin dose (P > 0.26). The striking similarity of the time courses for suppression of glucose production and stimulation of glucose uptake suggests that both effects are secondary manifestations of a single, rate-limiting phenomenon. We hypothesize this single gateway to insulin action is transendothelial insulin transport, which we previously have shown to be rate limiting for insulin's effect on glucose uptake in vivo.

Animals↗

Effects of epinephrine on insulin secretion and action in humans. Interaction with aging.

This study was designed to define the effects on glucose metabolism of small increases of plasma EPI, comparable to increases observed during physiological sympathoadrenal activation. This study was also designed to determine the effects of EPI on glucose metabolism in older adults, in whom changes in adrenergic responsiveness of several tissues were described. Tolbutamide-boosted IVGTTs were performed during intravenous infusions of saline (control) or EPI at 2.7, 5.5, and 10.9 mmol/min to achieve physiological levels of EPI in 7 young subjects (19-26 yr of age) and 7 old subjects (62-75 yr of age), all with a normal screening OGTT. IVGTT results were analyzed to determine the AIR and with the minimal model method of Bergman to determine SI and SG. A significant fall was observed in AIR, SI, and SG for all subjects, even with the lowest dose of EPI, which resulted in only a two- to threefold increase in plasma EPI. Older subjects had a delayed recovery from hyperglycemia during the EPI infusions, although we detected no significant differences between the young and old subjects in the ability of EPI to alter either acute phase insulin secretion or insulin action. In contrast, the impairment of SG by EPI appeared to be greater in the elderly. We conclude that small increases of plasma EPI can significantly affect determinants of glucose tolerance in both young and old people.

Adult↗

Thoracic duct lymph. Relative contribution from splanchnic and muscle tissue.

We have shown previously that thoracic duct lymph insulin dynamics are well correlated with tracer-determined whole-body glucose uptake and have suggested that thoracic duct lymph insulin is representative of insulin concentration in muscle interstitial fluid. However, thoracic duct lymph is comprised of interstitial fluid from all sub-thoracic tissue beds. To investigate the relative contribution of muscle interstitial fluid to total thoracic duct lymph flow, the distribution and elimination of [14C]inulin was investigated in eight experiments with conscious dogs. Both plasma and thoracic duct lymph were measured, and a three-compartment model that was hypothesized to consist of plasma, splanchnic interstitial fluid, and muscle interstitial fluid was identified. Identifications were performed with either a bolus protocol (n = 4) or an infusion protocol (n = 4), and the predicted [14C]inulin dynamics in the splanchnic and muscle interstitial fluid compartments were compared with measured values in thoracic duct lymph. Neither compartment predicted the thoracic duct [14C]inulin dynamics; however, a model based on a percentage contribution from each tissue bed fit the thoracic data well. The relative contribution of splanchnic interstitial fluid to the total thoracic duct lymph flow averaged 78 +/- 5% for the bolus protocol and 54 +/- 5% for the infusion protocol. Thus, we conclude that in the conscious animal, approximately 25-50% of thoracic duct lymph originates from muscle interstitial fluid.

Animals↗