Nicotine infusion acutely impairs insulin sensitivity in type 2 diabetic patients but not in healthy subjects.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to examine if an acute nicotine infusion alters insulin sensitivity to a similar degree in type 2 diabetic patients as in healthy control subjects.


METHODS
. Double-blind, cross-over, placebo-controlled, randomized experimental study. Nicotine 0.3 microg kg-1 min(-1) or NaCl was infused (2 h) during a euglycaemic hyperinsulinaemic clamp (4 h) to assess insulin sensitivity.


METHODS
University research laboratory.


METHODS
Six male and female type 2 diabetic patients [DM2; age 54 +/- 10 (mean +/- SD) years; body mass index (BMI) 25.6 +/- 2.9 kg m(-2)] treated with diet or one oral hypoglycaemic agent and six age- and BMI-matched control subjects (Ctr).


METHODS
Insulin sensitivity (rate of glucose infusion per kg fat free body mass and minute), nicotine and free fatty acid (FFA) levels, pulse rate and blood pressure.


RESULTS
The infusions produced similar nicotine levels in both groups. In the absence of nicotine, DM2 were more insulin resistant than Ctr (6.7 +/- 0.4 vs. 10.9 +/- 0.3 mg kg-1 LBM min(-1), respectively; P < 0.0001). This insulin resistance was further aggravated by the nicotine infusion in DM2 but not in Ctr (4.6 +/- 0.3 vs. 10.9 +/- 0.3 mg kg(-1) LBM min(-1); P < 0.0001). Only minor differences were seen in FFA levels, pulse rates and blood pressure.


CONCLUSIONS
At this low infusion rate, nicotine aggravated the insulin resistance in DM2 but not in Ctr. This finding may be because of the (dysmetabolic) diabetic state per se or to an increased sensitivity to environmental factors associated with a genetic predisposition for type 2 diabetes. These results show that diabetic subjects are particularly susceptible to the detrimental effects of nicotine.
Axelsson
T
T
Lundberg Laboratory for Diabetes Research, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, S-413 45 Göteborg, Sweden.
Jansson
P A
PA
Smith
U
U
Eliasson
B
B
D000368:Aged; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis / Q000187:drug effects*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002849:Chromatography, Gas; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005230:Fatty Acids, Nonesterified / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005731:Ganglionic Stimulants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015309:Glucose Clamp Technique; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D007333:Insulin Resistance / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009538:Nicotine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*
D001786:Blood Glucose; D005230:Fatty Acids, Nonesterified; D005731:Ganglionic Stimulants; D009538:Nicotine