[Biochemical markers and methods to assess insulin resistance in normal, obese and hyperandrogenic women].
BACKGROUND
Euglycemic or hyperglycemic clamp and the frequently sampled i.v. glucose tolerance test are the most frequently used methods to assess insulin resistance. However, both are expensive and cumbersome.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the relative or discriminatory usefulness of sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS) and insulin like growth factor binding protein 1 (IGFBP-1) as markers of insulin resistance and to estimate the tissue sensitivity to insulin by means of the insulin tolerance test (ITT) and the frequently sampled i.v. glucose tolerance test (IVGTT) in normal, obese and hyperandrogenic women.


METHODS
Six normal, 6 obese and 12 hyperandrogenic women of similar ages, were studied. In two consecutive days, the ITT and the IVGTT were performed and a basal blood sample was obtained to measure SHBG, DHEAS and IGFBP-1. Insulin sensitivity was calculated as the blood glucose slope in the ITT and with the minimal model of Bergman in the IVGTT.


RESULTS
Insulin sensitivity, measured with ITT was 0.58 (0.53-0.63) in normal, 0.38 (0.05-0.59) in obese and 0.20 (0.0-0.36) in hyperandrogenic women. The figures for the IVGTT were 7.97 (4.1-15.4), 2.41 (0.81-4.89) and 1.1 (0.46-1.88), respectively. Both methods had a positive correlation coefficient of 0.792 (p < 0.001). SHBG was 87.0 m 37.9 and 18.3 nmol/l in normal, obese and hyperandrogenic women, respectively (p < 0.09). IGFBP-1 values were 3.0, 2.1 and 1.6 ng/ml respectively (p < 0.05). DHEAS values were 132, 190 and 206 ug/dl, respectively (ND).


CONCLUSIONS
ITT is a simple and reliable method to assess insulin sensitivity. SHBG discriminates subjects with different levels of insulin sensitivity. Since it is easy to measure, it could be used as a marker on insulin sensitivity.
Sir
T
T
López
G
G
Castillo
T
T
Muñoz
S
S
Durruty
P
P
Calvillán
M
M
D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005951:Glucose Tolerance Test; D006801:Humans; D017588:Hyperandrogenism / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin / Q000032:analysis; D013002:Somatomedins / Q000032:analysis
D015415:Biomarkers; D001786:Blood Glucose; D007328:Insulin; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin; D013002:Somatomedins; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone
Marcadores bioquímicos y métodos de cuantificación de insulinorresistencia en mujeres normales, obesas e hiperandrogénicas.