title: Regulation of the number of insulin receptors in human fat cells.
abstract: Previous studies have shown that the ambient insulin concentration can regulate the number of insulin receptors. The concept implies that hyperinsulinemia may cause a reduced receptor number and cellular insulin resistance. The possible importance of this concept on the mode of treatment of diabetics was studied. Five insulin-dependent diabetics were studied under metabolic ward conditions while treated with one dose of long-acting insulin or with smaller amounts of short-acting insulin 30 min before meals. Adipose tissue samples were taken on each regime. The number of insulin receptors were increased in all subjects on the short-acting regime and this was coupled with an increased insulin sensitivity in the adipocytes. One probable reason for this finding is that the insulin levels were higher during the long-acting regime leading to an attenuated number of insulin receptors. The data show that short-acting insulin taken repeatedly in connection with meals leads to a more normal state and an increased peripheral insulin sensitivity as compared to a regime of one dose of long-acting insulin.
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000502:physiology*; D000328:Adult; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D005934:Glucagon / Q000097:blood; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011972:Receptor, Insulin / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D007328:Insulin; D013006:Growth Hormone; D005934:Glucagon; D011972:Receptor, Insulin