Exogenous endothelin-1 causes peripheral insulin resistance in healthy humans

• Published in: Acta physiologica Scandinavica 1997-09, Vol.161 (2), p.211-220
• Main Authors: OTTOSSON-SEEBERGER, A., LUNDBERG, J.M., ALVESTRAND, A., AHLBORG, G.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Biological and medical sciences; blood flow; Blood Glucose - metabolism; blood pressure; Electrolytes - blood; Endocrine pancreas; endothelin; Endothelin-1 - administration & dosage; Endothelin-1 - blood; Endothelin-1 - pharmacology; euglycaemic clamp; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Glucose - metabolism; Glucose Clamp Technique; glucose uptake; Hemodynamics - drug effects; Hormones. Régulation; Humans; Infusions, Intravenous; Insulin - blood; insulin resistance; Insulin Resistance - physiology; Liver Circulation - drug effects; Liver Circulation - physiology; Liver Function Tests; Male; Medicin och hälsovetenskap; skeletal muscle; Vertebrates: endocrinology
• ISSN: 0001-6772; 1365-201X
• DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-201X.1997.00212.x

In states of insulin resistance, increased plasma levels of endothelin‐1 and a disturbed vascular reactivity have been reported. In order to investigate the effects of endothelin‐1 on peripheral insulin sensitivity and the vasoactive interactions between insulin and endothelin‐1, six healthy subjects were studied on two different occasions with the euglycaemic hyperinsulinaemic clamp technique combined with an intravenous infusion of either endothelin‐1 (4 pmol kg−1 min−1) or 0.9% sodium chloride. During the endothelin‐1 infusion, arterial plasma endothelin‐1 levels rose 10‐fold. The endothelin‐1 infusion reduced insulin sensitivity as demonstrated by a 31 ± 7% decrease in whole‐body glucose uptake (P