Dexamethasone-induced insulin resistance shows no gender difference in healthy humans.
OBJECTIVE
Recent reports suggest that lipid-induced insulin resistance is more pronounced in men than in women. Whether such gender difference exists for other factors known to induce insulin resistance in healthy individuals remains unknown. We therefore assessed whether glucocorticoid-induced insulin resistance differs in men and women.


METHODS
The insulin sensitivity and insulin secretion of 8 women and 7 men, all non obese and healthy, were evaluated with or without administration of dexamethasone (2 mg/day during 2 days) by means of a two-step hyperglycemic clamp.


RESULTS
Dexamethasone decreased insulin sensitivity to the same extent in men and women. The relative increases in insulin concentration observed after dexamethasone in the basal state, during the first phase of insulin release and at the two steps of hyperglycemia were similar in men and women. The hyperinsulinemia thus attained allowed to fully compensate for insulin resistance in both genders.


CONCLUSIONS
The effects of glucocorticoids on insulin sensitivity and insulin secretion show no gender difference in healthy humans.
Binnert
C
C
Département de physiologie, 7, rue du Bugnon, 1005 Lausanne, Suisse.
Ruchat
S
S
Nicod
N
N
Tappy
L
L
D000328:Adult; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005230:Fatty Acids, Nonesterified / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D015309:Glucose Clamp Technique; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D007333:Insulin Resistance / Q000502:physiology*; D000078790:Insulin Secretion; D008297:Male; D012016:Reference Values; D012727:Sex Characteristics
D001786:Blood Glucose; D005230:Fatty Acids, Nonesterified; D007328:Insulin; D003907:Dexamethasone