Lower insulin sensitivity as an independent risk factor for carotid wall thickening in normotensive, non-diabetic, non-smoking normal weight and obese premenopausal women

OBJECTIVE: Increased thickness of the intima-media complex of the common carotid artery (IMT-CCA) is an early marker of atherosclerosis. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between insulin resistance and IMT-CCA in premenopausal women. SUBJECTS: 86 young women, aged 18-3...

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Published in:International Journal of Obesity 2000-07, Vol.24 (7), p.825-829
Main Authors: De Pergola, G, Ciccone, M, Pannacciulli, N, Modugno, M, Sciaraffia, M, Minenna, A, Rizzon, P, Giorgino, R
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
atherogenesis
atherosclerosis
Biological and medical sciences
blood glucose
Blood pressure
body mass index
Cardiovascular disease
carotid arteries
fasting
high density lipoprotein cholesterol
Insulin resistance
insulin tolerance test
Lipids
Medical sciences
Metabolic diseases
Obesity
premenopause
regression analysis
Risk factors
triacylglycerols
ultrasonography
Veins & arteries
waist circumference
women
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Summary:OBJECTIVE: Increased thickness of the intima-media complex of the common carotid artery (IMT-CCA) is an early marker of atherosclerosis. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between insulin resistance and IMT-CCA in premenopausal women. SUBJECTS: 86 young women, aged 18-31 y, were recruited for the study: 28 were normal weight (BMI < 25 kg/m2), 23 were overweight (BMI 25-30 kg/m2) and 35 were obese (BMI > 30 kg/m2). MEASUREMENTS: The IMT-CCA was measured by high resolution 'B-mode' ultrasonography; insulin sensitivity was determined by insulin tolerance test (ITT) and quantitated by calculation of K(ITT). Fasting plasma glucose and lipids (triglycerides, total and HDL-cholesterol) were also measured by enzymatic methods. Central fat accumulation was evaluated by measuring waist circumference (WC). RESULTS: IMT-CCA showed an inverse association with K(ITT) (P < 0.05). When the IMT-CCA was considered as the dependent variable in a forward stepwise multiple regression analysis, it maintained an independent association with K(ITT) (P < 0.05), after adjusting data for age, BMI, WC, mean blood pressure levels and plasma glucose and lipids. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that IMT-CCA is significantly associated with insulin resistance, independent of other well-known CVD risk factors. Since the IMT-CCA is an earlier asymptomatic sign of atherosclerosis, this study indicates that insulin resistance per se may accelerate atherogenesis.
ISSN:0307-0565
1476-5497
DOI:10.1038/sj.ijo.0801239