Carotid artery wall intima-media thickness is associated with insulin-mediated glucose disposal in men at high and low coronary risk.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this investigation was to examine the relationship between insulin sensitivity and intima-media thickness in the common carotid artery.


METHODS
Ultrasound examinations of the common carotid artery and hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp examinations were performed in a group (n = 25) of men aged 57 to 77 years at high risk for atherosclerotic disease (hypertension and at least one of the following factors: hypercholesterolemia and/or smoking) and in an age-matched low-risk group (n = 23) with no cardiovascular risk factors. Subjects with cardiovascular disease or diabetes mellitus were excluded.


RESULTS
A significant negative relationship between insulin sensitivity index and common carotid maximum intima-media thickness was observed in both the high-risk group (r = -.45, P < .05) and in the low-risk group (r = -.59, P < .01).


CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest that an increase in intimamedia thickness, as a possible expression of early atherosclerosis, is negatively related to insulin sensitivity.
Agewall
S
S
Department of Medicine, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Göteborg University, Sweden.
Fagerberg
B
B
Attvall
S
S
Wendelhag
I
I
Urbanavicius
V
V
Wikstrand
J
J
D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D001794:Blood Pressure; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D048909:Diabetes Complications; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004562:Electrocardiography; D015309:Glucose Clamp Technique; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007328:Insulin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D011897:Random Allocation; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking; D016683:Supine Position; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D014463:Ultrasonography
D001786:Blood Glucose; D007328:Insulin; D014280:Triglycerides; D002784:Cholesterol