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Ralph A DeFronzo

Publications and source records attributed to Ralph A DeFronzo.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Lipid infusion decreases the expression of nuclear encoded mitochondrial genes and increases the expression of extracellular matrix genes in human skeletal muscle.

The association between elevated plasma free fatty acid (FFA) concentrations and insulin resistance is well known. Although the cause and effect relationship between FFAs and insulin resistance is complex, plasma FFA is negatively correlated with the expression of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-gamma cofactor-1 (PGC-1) and nuclear encoded mitochondrial genes. To test whether this association is causal, we infused a triglyceride emulsion (or saline as control) into healthy subjects to increase plasma FFA for 48 h followed by muscle biopsies, microarray analysis, quantitative real time PCR, and immunoblots. Lipid infusion increased plasma FFA concentration from 0.48 +/- 0.02 to 1.73 +/- 0.43 mm and decreased insulin-stimulated glucose disposal from 8.82 +/- 0.69 to 6.67 +/- 0.66 mg/kg.min, both with p < 0.05. PGC-1 mRNA, along with mRNAs for a number of nuclear encoded mitochondrial genes, were reduced by lipid infusion (p < 0.05). Microarray analysis also revealed that lipid infusion caused a significant overexpression of extracellular matrix genes and connective tissue growth factor. Quantitative reverse transcription PCR showed that the mRNA expression of collagens and multiple extracellular matrix genes was higher after the lipid infusion (p < 0.05). Immunoblot analysis revealed that lipid infusion also increased the expression of collagens and the connective tissue growth factor protein. These data suggest that an experimental increase in FFAs decreases the expression of PGC-1 and nuclear encoded mitochondrial genes and also increases the expression of extracellular matrix genes in a manner reminiscent of inflammation.

Adult↗

Insulin resistance is associated with impaired nitric oxide synthase activity in skeletal muscle of type 2 diabetic subjects.

Type 2 diabetes is an insulin-resistant state characterized by hyperinsulinemia and accelerated atherosclerosis. In vitro and in vivo studies in rodents have suggested that nitric oxide generation plays an important role in glucose transport and insulin action. We determined nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity in skeletal muscle of 10 type 2 diabetic (hemoglobin A(1C) = 6.8 +/- 0.1%) and 11 control subjects under basal conditions and during an 80 mU/m(2).min euglycemic insulin clamp performed with vastus lateralis muscle biopsies before and after 4 h of insulin. In diabetics, insulin-stimulated glucose disposal (Rd) was reduced by 50%, compared with controls (5.4 +/- 0.3 vs. 10.4 +/- 0.5 mg/kg.min, P < 0.01). Basal NOS activity was markedly reduced in the diabetic group (101 +/- 33 vs. 457 +/- 164 pmol/min.mg protein, P < 0.05). In response to insulin, NOS activity increased 2.5-fold in controls after 4 h (934 +/- 282 pmol/min.mg protein, P < 0.05 vs. basal), whereas insulin failed to stimulate NOS activity in diabetics (86 +/- 28 pmol/min.mg protein, P = NS from basal). Basal NOS protein content in muscle was similar in controls and diabetics and did not change following insulin. In controls, insulin-stimulated NOS activity correlated inversely with fasting plasma insulin concentration (r = -0.58, P = 0.05) and positively with Rd (r = 0.71, P = 0.03). In control and diabetic groups collectively, Rd correlated with insulin-stimulated NOS activity (r = 0.52, P = 0.02). We conclude that basal and insulin-stimulated muscle NOS activity is impaired in well-controlled type 2 diabetic subjects, and the defect in insulin-stimulated NOS activity correlates closely with the severity of insulin resistance. These results suggest that impaired NOS activity may play an important role in the insulin resistance in type 2 diabetic individuals.

Biopsy↗

beta-Cell function in subjects spanning the range from normal glucose tolerance to overt diabetes: a new analysis.

The nature of the progressive beta-cell failure occurring as normal glucose tolerant (NGT) individuals progress to type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is incompletely understood. We measured insulin sensitivity (by a euglycemic insulin clamp) and insulin secretion rate (by deconvolution of plasma C-peptide levels during an oral glucose tolerance test) in 188 subjects [19 lean NGT (body mass index [BMI] </= 25 kg/m(2)), 42 obese NGT, 22 BMI-matched impaired glucose tolerance [IGT], and 105 BMI-matched T2DM]. Main determinants of beta-cell function on the oral glucose tolerance test were derived from a mathematical model featuring the following: 1) glucose concentration-insulin secretion dose response (glucose sensitivity), 2) a secretion component proportional to the derivative of plasma glucose concentration (rate sensitivity); and 3) a potentiation factor. When NGT and T2DM were subgrouped by 2-h plasma glucose concentrations, insulin secretion rate revealed an inverted U-shaped pattern, rising through NGT up to IGT and falling off thereafter. In contrast, beta-cell glucose sensitivity dropped in a monophasic, curvilinear fashion throughout the range of 2-h plasma glucose. Within the NGT range (2-h glucose of 4.1-7.7 mmol/liter), beta-cell glucose sensitivity declined by 50-70% (P < 0.02). Insulin sensitivity decreased sharply in the transition from lean to obese NGT and then declined further in IGT and mild T2DM to level off in the higher three quartiles of diabetic hyperglycemia. In T2DM, defective beta-cell potentiation and rate sensitivity also emerged (P </= 0.05). In the whole data set, insulin sensitivity and the dynamic parameters of beta-cell function explained 89% of the variability of 2-h plasma glucose levels. The following conclusions were reached: 1) beta-cell glucose sensitivity falls already within the NGT range in association with rising 2-h plasma glucose concentrations, although absolute insulin secretion rates increase; and 2) throughout the glucose tolerance range, dynamic parameters of beta-cell function (glucose sensitivity, rate sensitivity, and potentiation) and insulin sensitivity are independent determinants of 2-h plasma glucose levels.

Adult↗

Pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

This article provides an overview of the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Discussion begins by describing normal glucose homeostasis and ingestion of a typical meal and then discusses glucose homeostasis in diabetes. Topics covered include insulin secretion in type 2 diabetes mellitus and insulin resistance, the site of insulin resistance, the interaction between insulin sensitivity and secretion, the role of adipocytes in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes, cellular mechanisms of insulin resistance including glucose transport and phosphorylation, glycogen and synthesis,glucose and oxidation, glycolysis, and insulin signaling.

Blood Glucose↗

Decreased plasma adiponectin concentrations are closely related to hepatic fat content and hepatic insulin resistance in pioglitazone-treated type 2 diabetic patients.

The effect of pioglitazone (PIO) on plasma adiponectin concentration, endogenous glucose production (EGP), and hepatic fat content (HFC) was studied in 11 type 2 diabetic patients (age, 52 +/- 2 yr; body mass index, 29.6 +/- 1.1 kg/m(2); HbA(1c), 7.8 +/- 0.4%). HFC (magnetic resonance spectroscopy) and basal plasma adiponectin concentration were quantitated before and after PIO (45 mg/d) for 16 wk. Subjects received a 3-h euglycemic insulin (100 mU/m(2).min) clamp combined with 3-[(3)H] glucose infusion to determine rates of EGP and tissue glucose disappearance (Rd) before and after PIO. PIO reduced fasting plasma glucose (10.0 +/- 0.7 to 7.2 +/- 0.6 mmol/liter, P < 0.01) and HbA(1c) (7.8 +/- 0.4 to 6.5 +/- 0.3%, P < 0.01) despite increased body weight (83.0 +/- 3.0 to 86.4 +/- 3.0 kg, P < 0.01). PIO improved Rd (6.6 +/- 0.6 vs. 5.2 +/- 0.5 mg/kg.min, P < 0.005) and reduced EGP (0.23 +/- 0.04 to 0.05 +/- 0.02 mg/kg.min, P < 0.01) during the 3-h insulin clamp. After PIO treatment, HFC decreased from 21.3 +/- 4.2 to 11.0 +/- 2.4% (P < 0.01), and plasma adiponectin increased from 7 +/- 1 to 21 +/- 2 micro g/ml (P < 0.0001). Plasma adiponectin concentration correlated negatively with HFC (r = -0.60, P < 0.05) and EGP (r = -0.80, P < 0.004) and positively with Rd before (r = 0.68, P < 0.02) pioglitazone treatment; similar correlations were observed between plasma adiponectin levels and HFC (r = -0.65, P < 0.03) and Rd after (r = 0.70, P = 0.01) pioglitazone treatment. EGP was almost completely suppressed after pioglitazone treatment; taken collectively, plasma adiponectin concentration, before and after pioglitazone treatment, still correlated negatively with EGP during the insulin clamp (r = -0.65, P < 0.001). In conclusion, PIO treatment in type 2 diabetes causes a 3-fold increase in plasma adiponectin concentration. The increase in plasma adiponectin is strongly associated with a decrease in hepatic fat content and improvements in hepatic and peripheral insulin sensitivity. The increase in plasma adiponectin concentration after thiazolidinedione therapy may play an important role in reversing the abnormality in hepatic fat mobilization and the hepatic/muscle insulin resistance in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Adiponectin↗

Separate contribution of diabetes, total fat mass, and fat topography to glucose production, gluconeogenesis, and glycogenolysis.

The contribution of increased gluconeogenesis (GNG) to the excessive rate of endogenous glucose production (EGP) in type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is well established. However, the separate effects of obesity (total body fat), visceral adiposity, and T2DM have not been investigated. We measured GNG (by the (2)H(2)O technique) and EGP (with 3-(3)H-glucose) after an overnight fast in 44 type 2 diabetic and 29 gender/ethnic-matched controls. Subjects were classified as obese (body mass index 30 kg/m(2) or greater) or nonobese (body mass index < 30 kg/m(2)); diabetic subjects were further subdivided according to the severity of fasting hyperglycemia [fasting plasma glucose (FPG) < 9 mm or >or= 9 mm]. EGP was similar in nondiabetic controls and T2DM with FPG less than 9 mm but was increased in T2DM with FPG >or= 9 mm (P < 0.001). Within the diabetic groups, obesity had an independent effect to further increase basal EGP (P < 0.01). In both nonobese diabetic groups, both the percent GNG and gluconeogenic flux were increased, compared with nonobese nondiabetic controls. In both diabetic groups, obesity further increased both percent GNG and gluconeogenic flux. In obese and nonobese T2DM, the increase in gluconeogenic flux was not accompanied by a reciprocal decrease in glycogenolysis, indicating a loss of hepatic autoregulation. By multivariate analysis, gluconeogenic flux was positively correlated with percent body fat, visceral fat, and the fasting plasma free fatty acid and glucose concentrations (all P <or= 0.02). We conclude that obesity per se, and visceral fat accumulation in particular, as well as poorly controlled diabetes are potent stimuli to augment gluconeogenic flux.

Abdomen↗

Effect of pioglitazone on circulating adipocytokine levels and insulin sensitivity in type 2 diabetic patients.

We examined the effect of pioglitazone (PIO) on circulating adipocytokine levels to elucidate the mechanisms by which thiazolidinediones improve insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Twenty-three subjects with T2DM (age 54 +/- 2 yr, body mass index 29 +/- 1 kg/m(2)) were randomly assigned to receive placebo (n = 11) or PIO, 45 mg/d (n = 12), for 4 months. Before and after treatment, subjects received a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT); euglycemic insulin clamp (40 mU/m(2).min) with 3-(3)H-glucose; determination of fat mass ((3)H(2)O); and measurement of fasting glucose, free fatty acids (FFAs), leptin, adiponectin, and TNFalpha concentrations. After 4 months of PIO, fasting plasma glucose concentration (Delta = -2.7 mol/liter), mean plasma glucose during OGTT (Delta = -3.8 mol/liter), and hemoglobin A(1c) (Delta = 1.7%) decreased (P < 0.05 vs. placebo) without change in fasting or post-OGTT plasma insulin levels. Fasting FFAs (Delta = 168 micromol/liter) and TNFalpha (Delta = 0.7 pg/ml) concentrations decreased (P < 0.05 vs. placebo), whereas adiponectin (Delta = 8.7 microg/ml) increased (P < 0.01 vs. placebo). Despite the increase in body fat mass (Delta = 3.4 kg) after PIO, plasma leptin concentration did not change significantly. No changes in plasma glucose, FFAs, or adipocytokine levels were observed in placebo-treated subjects. During the insulin clamp, endogenous (hepatic) glucose production decreased (Delta = -2.67 micromol/fat-free mass.min, P < 0.05 vs. placebo), whereas metabolic clearance rate of glucose (MCR) increased (Delta = 0.58 ml/fat-free mass.min, P < 0.05 vs. placebo) after PIO. In all subjects, before and after PIO, the decrease in plasma FFA concentration was correlated with the changes in both endogenous (hepatic) glucose production (r = 0.47, P < 0.05) and MCR (r = -0.41, P < 0.05), whereas the increase in plasma adiponectin concentration was correlated with the change in endogenous (hepatic) glucose production (r = -0.70, P < 0.01) and MCR (r = 0.49, P < 0.05). These results suggest that the direct effects of PIO on adipose tissue to decrease plasma FFA levels and increase plasma adiponectin contribute to the improvements in hepatic and peripheral insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance in patients with T2DM.

Adiponectin↗

Sustained reduction in plasma free fatty acid concentration improves insulin action without altering plasma adipocytokine levels in subjects with strong family history of type 2 diabetes.

To investigate the effect of a sustained (7-d) decrease in plasma free fatty acid (FFA) concentration in individuals genetically predisposed to develop type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), we studied the effect of acipimox, a potent inhibitor of lipolysis, on insulin action and adipocytokine concentrations in eight normal glucose-tolerant subjects (aged 40 +/- 4 yr, body mass index 26.5 +/- 0.8 kg/m(2)) with at least two first-degree relatives with T2DM. Subjects received an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and 120 min euglycemic insulin clamp (80 mU/m(2).min) with 3-[(3)H] glucose to quantitate rates of insulin-mediated whole-body glucose disposal (Rd) and endogenous (primarily hepatic) glucose production (EGP) before and after acipimox, 250 mg every 6 h for 7 d. Acipimox significantly reduced fasting plasma FFA (515 +/- 64 to 285 +/- 58 microm, P < 0.05) and mean plasma FFA during the OGTT (263 +/- 32 to 151 +/- 25 microm, P < 0.05); insulin-mediated suppression of plasma FFA concentration during the insulin clamp also was enhanced (162 +/- 18 to 120 +/- 15 microm, P < 0.10). Following acipimox, fasting plasma glucose (5.1 +/- 0.1 vs. 5.2 +/- 0.1 mm) did not change, whereas mean plasma glucose during the OGTT decreased (7.6 +/- 0.5 to 6.9 +/- 0.5 mm, P < 0.01) without change in mean plasma insulin concentration (402 +/- 90 to 444 +/- 102 pmol/liter). After acipimox Rd increased from 5.6 +/- 0.5 to 6.8 +/- 0.5 mg/kg.min (P < 0.01) due to an increase in insulin-stimulated nonoxidative glucose disposal (2.5 +/- 0.4 to 3.5 +/- 0.4 mg/kg.min, P < 0.05). The increment in Rd correlated closely with the decrement in fasting plasma FFA concentration (r = -0.80, P < 0.02). Basal EGP did not change after acipimox (1.9 +/- 0.1 vs. 2.0 +/- 0.1 mg/kg.min), but insulin-mediated suppression of EGP improved (0.22 +/- 0.09 to 0.01 +/- 0.01 mg/kg.min, P < 0.05). EGP during the insulin clamp correlated positively with the fasting plasma FFA concentration (r = 0.49, P = 0.06) and the mean plasma FFA concentration during the insulin clamp (r = 0.52, P < 0.05). Plasma adiponectin (7.1 +/- 1.0 to 7.2 +/- 1.1 microg/ml), resistin (4.0 +/- 0.3 to 3.8 +/- 0.3 ng/ml), IL-6 (1.4 +/- 0.3 to 1.6 +/- 0.4 pg/ml), and TNFalpha (2.3 +/- 0.3 to 2.4 +/- 0.3 pg/ml) did not change after acipimox treatment. We concluded that sustained reduction in plasma FFA concentration in subjects with a strong family history of T2DM increases peripheral (muscle) and hepatic insulin sensitivity without increasing adiponectin levels or altering the secretion of other adipocytokines by the adipocyte. These results suggest that lipotoxicity already is well established in individuals who are genetically predisposed to develop T2DM and that drugs that cause a sustained reduction in the elevated plasma FFA concentration may represent an effective modality for the prevention of T2DM in high-risk, genetically predisposed, normal glucose-tolerant individuals despite the lack of an effect on adipocytokine concentrations.

Adiponectin↗

Ceramide content is increased in skeletal muscle from obese insulin-resistant humans.

Increased intramyocellular lipid concentrations are thought to play a role in insulin resistance, but the precise nature of the lipid species that produce insulin resistance in human muscle are unknown. Ceramides, either generated via activation of sphingomyelinase or produced by de novo synthesis, induce insulin resistance in cultured cells by inhibitory effects on insulin signaling. The present study was undertaken to determine whether ceramides or other sphingolipids are increased in muscle from obese insulin-resistant subjects and to assess whether ceramide plays a role in the insulin resistance of Akt in human muscle. Lean insulin-sensitive and obese insulin-resistant subjects (n = 10 each) received euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamps with muscle biopsies basally and after 30, 45, or 60 min of insulin infusion. The rate of glucose infusion required to maintain euglycemia (reflecting glucose uptake) was reduced by >50%, as expected, in the obese subjects at each time point (P < 0.01). Under basal conditions, total muscle ceramide content was increased nearly twofold in the obese subjects (46 +/- 9 vs. 25 +/- 2 pmol/2 mg muscle, P < 0.05). All species of ceramides were increased similarly in the obese subjects; in contrast, no other sphingolipid was increased. Stimulation of Akt phosphorylation by insulin in the obese subjects was significantly reduced after 30 min (0.96 +/- 0.11 vs. 1.84 +/- 0.38 arbitrary units) or 45-60 min (0.68 +/- 0.17 vs. 1.52 +/- 0.26) of insulin infusion (P < 0.05 for both). Muscle ceramide content was significantly correlated with the plasma free fatty acid concentration (r = 0.51, P < 0.05). We conclude that obesity is associated with increased intramyocellular ceramide content. This twofold increase in ceramide may be involved in the decrease in Akt phosphorylation observed after insulin infusion and could theoretically play a role in the reduced ability of insulin to stimulate glucose uptake in skeletal muscle from obese subjects.

Adult↗

Dose-response effect of a single administration of oral hexyl-insulin monoconjugate 2 in healthy nondiabetic subjects.

OBJECTIVE: 1) To evaluate the effect of a single oral dose of hexyl-insulin monoconjugate 2 (HIM2) on the rate of whole-body glucose disposal (Rd) and endogenous glucose production (EGP) in healthy nondiabetic subjects, 2) to examine the reproducibility of HIM2 on glucose metabolism, and 3) to compare the results obtained with HIM2 with those using a bioequivalent dose of subcutaneous lispro insulin. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Six healthy subjects ([means +/- SE] aged 31 +/- 5 years and BMI 23.1 +/- 3.9 kg/m2) participated in four studies performed in random order on separate days. Subjects ingested a single dose of HIM2 (0.125, 0.5, and 0.75 mg/kg) or received subcutaneous lispro insulin (0.1 units/kg). Studies were performed with [3-3H]glucose, and plasma glucose concentration was maintained at basal levels for 4 h with the euglycemic clamp technique. After 6 weeks, subjects participated in two repeat studies to examine the reproducibility of HIM2 (0.5 mg/kg) and lispro insulin (0.1 units/kg). RESULTS: Fasting plasma insulin (7 muU/ml) increased to a maximum of 102, 321, and 561 muU/ml at 60 min after all three HIM2 doses (0.125, 0.5, and 0.75 mg/kg, respectively). A dose-related decrease in basal EGP was observed as the HIM2 dosage was increased from 0 to 0.125 to 0.5 mg/kg (P <0.05 vs. each preceding dose). Suppression of EGP was similar with the 0.5- and 0.75-mg/kg HIM2 doses. A dose-related stimulation of basal Rd was observed as the HIM2 dosage was increased from 0 to 0.125 to 0.5 (P <0.05 vs. each preceding dose) to 0.75 mg/kg (P <0.10 vs. preceding dose). Rd (0-240 min) was increased by 0.5 mg/kg oral HIM2 to a value similar to 0.1 units/kg lispro insulin. The 0.125-mg/kg HIM2 dose reduced EGP (0-240 min) to a value that was similar to 0.1 units/kg lispro insulin. The variability in the effect of HIM2 and lispro on Rd (25 +/- 7 vs. 27 +/- 1%, respectively) and on suppression of EGP (19 +/- 1 vs. 19 +/- 0.7%, respectively) was similar. CONCLUSIONS: Oral HIM2 suppresses EGP and increases tissue Rd in a dose-dependent manner. The effects of HIM2 on EGP and Rd persisted at 240 min, even though plasma insulin concentration had returned to basal levels. Oral HIM2 may provide an effective and reproducible means of controlling postprandial plasma glucose excursions in diabetic patients.

Administration, Oral↗

Improving efficacy of diabetes management using treatment algorithms in a mainly Hispanic population.

OBJECTIVE: To compare clinical outcomes obtained using treatment algorithms versus standard "usual care" to treat patients with type 2 diabetes in a community setting. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: An observational group comparison was implemented in three community-based clinics in San Antonio, Texas: 1). a community clinic following treatment algorithms (CC-TA), 2). university clinic following treatment algorithms (UC-TA), and 3). a community clinic following standard "usual care" practices (CC-SC). Three hundred fifty-eight recently diagnosed type 2 diabetic patients (90% Mexican American, from low-income neighborhoods) who were consecutively identified at the three clinics were recruited. Following medical and laboratory evaluation, participants were started on treatment for hyperglycemia, hypertension, and dyslipidemia and followed for 12 months. RESULTS: Decrements in HbA(1c) at 12 months in the CC-TA and UC-TA were 3.1 and 3.3%, respectively, compared to 1.3% in the CC-SC (P < 0.0001). Corresponding decrements in fasting plasma glucose at 12 months were 94 and 99 mg/dl, respectively, versus 38 mg/dl in CC-SC (P < 0.0001). Reductions in total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides at 12 months were greater in both algorithm-managed clinics compared to standard care-managed clinics (P < 0.0001). In algorithm-managed clinics, there were 30% more documented eye exams and 24% more documented foot exams than in standard care-managed patients. CONCLUSIONS: Adherence to the treatment algorithms improved metabolic outcomes in type 2 diabetic patients to a greater extent than standard care practices. These results have important clinical implications for the treatment of type 2 diabetic patients.

Adult↗

Tumor necrosis factor alpha and insulin resistance in obese type 2 diabetic patients.

The relationship between basal serum tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) levels and peripheral tissue (muscle) sensitivity to insulin was examined in 63 subjects with normal glucose tolerance (NGT), 18 subjects with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), and 123 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The BMI was similar in NGT (28.8+/-0.7 kg/m(2)), IGT (31.1+/-1.0), and T2DM (30.0+/-0.4) groups. The fasting serum TNFalpha concentration in T2DM (4.4+/-0.2 pg/ml) was significantly higher than in NGT (3.1+/-0.2) and IGT (3.4+/-0.2; both P<0.05). In T2DM the fasting plasma glucose (FPG=183+/-5 mg/dl) and insulin (FPI=17+/-1 micro U/ml) concentrations were significantly higher than in NGT (FPG=95+/-1; FPI=10+/-1) and IGT (FPG=100+/-2; FPI=13+/-1; all P<0.01). The rate of total body insulin-mediated glucose disposal (Rd; 40 mU/m(2) min euglycemic insulin clamp in combination with (3)H-glucose) was reduced in T2DM (102+/-3 mg/m(2) min) compared with NGT (177+/-10) and IGT (151+/-14; both P<0.01). The serum TNFalpha concentration was inversely correlated with Rd (r=-0.47, P<0.0001) and positively correlated with both FPG (r=0.32, P=0.004) and FPI (r=0.32, P=0.004) in NGT plus IGT. No correlation was observed between serum TNFalpha and Rd (r=-0.02), FPG (r=0.15), or FPI (r=0.15) in T2DM. In stepwise multiple regression analysis using age, sex, BMI, FPG, FPI and serum TNFalpha concentration as independent variables, only BMI and serum TNFalpha concentration were significant and independent predictors of Rd (r(2)=0.29, P<0.0001) in the NGT plus IGT group, while FPG and FPI were significant and independent predictors of Rd (r(2)=0.13, P<0.0001) in T2DM. These results suggest that: (i) an increase in circulating TNFalpha concentration is associated with peripheral insulin resistance and increased plasma glucose and insulin levels prior to the onset of type 2 diabetes; and (ii) the further deterioration in peripheral insulin resistance in T2DM (compared with NGT and IGT) is unrelated to the increase in serum TNFalpha concentration.

Adult↗

Influence of ethnicity and familial diabetes on glucose tolerance and insulin action: a physiological analysis.

Both ethnicity and familial diabetes (FHD) confer risk for type 2 diabetes [diabetes mellitus (DM)], but their relative influence has not been established. To analyze the separate impact of ethnicity, Mexican-American vs. Caucasian, and FHD on the physiological determinants of glucose tolerance, we measured insulin sensitivity of glucose uptake (IS(GU)) (by the clamp technique), endogenous glucose production (by 3-[(3)H]glucose infusion), and insulin secretory response (to oral glucose) in 172 Mexican-Americans and 60 Caucasians with normal glucose tolerance (NGT) or DM. IS(GU) was markedly reduced in diabetics vs. NGT (3.9 +/- 0.2 vs. 8.4 +/- 0.5 ml.min(-1).kg(ffm)(-1), P < 0.0001), and lower in Mexican-Americans than in Caucasians (5.3 +/- 0.3 vs. 7.3 +/- 0.7 ml.min(-1).kg(ffm)(-1), P < 0.003; ffm, fat-free mass). In a multivariate analysis including both ethnicity and FHD (and adjusting for body mass index, age, and diabetes), ethnicity was still a significant (P = 0.02) independent correlate of IS(GU). Insulin resistance of glucose production was increased in diabetics (14 +/- 1 mmol.min(-1).[ micro U/ml], P < 0.0001 vs. 9 +/- 1 of NGT), whereas the 30' insulin/glucose ratio was decreased (16 +/- 1 micro U/mg, P < 0.0001 vs. 60 +/- 5). In multivariate models, neither ethnicity nor FHD were significant independent correlates of glucose production and early insulin response. We conclude that the primary physiological target of the propensity to diabetes of Mexican-Americans is insulin resistance of glucose uptake.

Adult↗

Pioglitazone reduces hepatic fat content and augments splanchnic glucose uptake in patients with type 2 diabetes.

The effect of pioglitazone on splanchnic glucose uptake (SGU), endogenous glucose production (EGP), and hepatic fat content was studied in 14 type 2 diabetic patients (age 50 +/- 2 years, BMI 29.4 +/- 1.1 kg/m(2), HbA(1c) 7.8 +/- 0.4%). Hepatic fat content (magnetic resonance spectroscopy) and SGU (oral glucose load- insulin clamp technique) were quantitated before and after pioglitazone (45 mg/day) therapy for 16 weeks. Subjects received a 7-h euglycemic insulin (100 mU. m(-2). min(-1)) clamp, and a 75-g oral glucose load was ingested 3 h after starting the insulin clamp. Following glucose ingestion, the steady-state glucose infusion rate during the insulin clamp was decreased appropriately to maintain euglycemia. SGU was calculated by subtracting the integrated decrease in glucose infusion rate during the 4 h after glucose ingestion from the ingested glucose load. 3-[(3)H]glucose was infused during the initial 3 h of the insulin clamp to determine rates of EGP and glucose disappearance (R(d)). Pioglitazone reduced fasting plasma glucose (10.0 +/- 0.7 to 7.5 +/- 0.6 mmol/l, P < 0.001) and HbA(1c) (7.8 +/- 0.4 to 6.7 +/- 0.3%, P < 0.001) despite increased body weight (83 +/- 3 to 86 +/- 3 kg, P < 0.001). During the 3-h insulin clamp period before glucose ingestion, pioglitazone improved R(d) (6.9 +/- 0.5 vs. 5.2 +/- 0.5 mg. kg(-1). min(- 1), P < 0.001) and insulin-mediated suppression of EGP (0.21 +/- 0.04 to 0.06 +/- 0.02 mg. kg(-1). min(-1), P < 0.01). Following pioglitazone treatment, hepatic fat content decreased from 19.6 +/- 3.6 to 10.4 +/- 2.1%, (P < 0.005), and SGU increased from 33.0 +/- 2.8 to 46.2 +/- 5.1% (P < 0.005). Pioglitazone treatment in type 2 diabetes 1) decreases hepatic fat content and improves insulin-mediated suppression of EGP and 2) augments splanchnic and peripheral tissue glucose uptake. Improved splanchnic/peripheral glucose uptake and enhanced suppression of EGP contribute to the improvement in glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Adult↗

Rosiglitazone improves downstream insulin receptor signaling in type 2 diabetic patients.

Thiazolidinediones (TZDs) improve glycemic control and insulin sensitivity in patients with type 2 diabetes. To determine whether the TZD-induced improvement in glycemic control is associated with enhanced insulin receptor signaling in skeletal muscle, 20 type 2 diabetic patients received a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and euglycemic insulin (80 mU x m(-2) x min(-1)) clamp with [3-(3)H]glucose/indirect calorimetry/vastus lateralis muscle biopsies before and after 16 weeks of rosiglitazone treatment. Six age-matched nondiabetic subjects served as control subjects. RSG improved fasting plasma glucose (185 +/- 8 to 139 +/- 5 mg/dl), mean plasma glucose during the OGTT (290 +/- 9 to 225 +/- 6 mg/dl), HbA(1c) (8.5 +/- 0.3 to 7.1 +/- 0.3%), insulin-mediated total-body glucose disposal (TGD) (6.9 +/- 0.7 to 9.2 +/- 0.8 mg x kg(-1) fat-free mass x min(-1)) (all P < 0.001), and decreased fasting plasma free fatty acid (FFA) (789 +/- 59 to 656 +/- 50 micro Eq/l) and mean FFA during the OGTT (644 +/- 41 to 471 +/- 35 micro Eq/l) (both P < 0.01). Before RSG treatment, insulin infusion did not significantly increase insulin receptor tyrosine phosphorylation (0.95 +/- 0.10 to 1.08 +/- 0.13 density units; NS) but had a small stimulatory effect on insulin receptor substrate (IRS)-1 tyrosine phosphorylation (1.05 +/- 0.10 to 1.21 +/- 0.12 density units; P < 0.01) and the association of p85 with IRS-1 (0.94 +/- 0.06 to 1.08 +/- 0.06 activity units; P < 0.01). RSG therapy had no effect on basal or insulin-stimulated insulin receptor tyrosine phosphorylation but increased insulin stimulation of IRS-1 tyrosine phosphorylation (1.13 +/- 0.11 to 1.56 +/- 0.17 density units; P < 0.01 vs. prerosiglitazone) and p85 association with IRS-1 (1.00 +/- 0.06 to 1.27 +/- 0.07 activity units; P < 0.05 vs. prerosiglitazone). In control and type 2 diabetic subjects, TGD/nonoxidative glucose disposal correlated positively with the insulin-stimulated increments in IRS-1 tyrosine phosphorylation (r = 0.52/r = 0.57, P < 0.01) and inversely with the plasma FFA concentration during the insulin clamp (r = -0.55/r = -0.53, P < 0.01). However, no significant association between plasma FFA concentrations during the insulin clamp and the increment in either IRS-1 tyrosine phosphorylation or the association of p85 with IRS-1 was observed. In conclusion, in type 2 diabetic patients, rosiglitazone treatment enhances downstream insulin receptor signaling in muscle and decreases plasma FFA concentration while improving glycemic control.

Biopsy↗