Diminished insulin-mediated forearm blood flow and muscle glucose uptake in young men with low birth weight.
BACKGROUND
Low birth weight (LBW) is associated with increased risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. We studied endothelial function and insulin sensitivity in young men with LBW (n = 22) and controls (n = 22).


METHODS
Insulin sensitivity and endothelial function was studied with venous occlusion plethysmography and intra-arterial infusions of adenosine and acetylcholine, before and during a hyperinsulinemic isoglycemic clamp.


RESULTS
Forearm blood flow response to systemic hyperinsulinemia was diminished in LBW compared to controls (p < 0.05). Fractional arteriovenous glucose extraction was similar, and consequently insulin-stimulated forearm glucose clearance was diminished in LBW compared with controls (0.8 +/- 0.09 vs. 1.4 +/- 0.36 ml x 100 ml(-1) x min(-1), respectively, p < 0.05). Forearm blood flow response to adenosine and acetylcholine with or without insulin stimulation did not differ between groups. Whole-body glucose uptake was lower in LBW than controls (8.7 +/- 0.5 and 9.1 +/- 0.6 mg x min(-1) x kg(-1) lean body mass); however, this was not significant.


CONCLUSIONS
Forearm blood flow response to insulin is impaired in LBW, whereas the response to adenosine and acetylcholine is preserved. The impaired insulin-mediated increase in bulk flow in LBW may be due to an impairment of insulin-mediated capillary recruitment independent of - or preceding - whole-body insulin resistance in LBW subjects.
Sonne
M P
MP
Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Systems Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark. msonne@mfi.ku.dk
Højbjerre
L
L
Alibegovic
A C
AC
Vaag
A
A
Stallknecht
B
B
Dela
F
F
D000109:Acetylcholine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000241:Adenosine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000328:Adult; D001692:Biological Transport; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005542:Forearm; D015309:Glucose Clamp Technique; D006801:Humans; D006940:Hyperemia / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D006946:Hyperinsulinism / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000097:blood; D007261:Infusions, Intra-Arterial; D007328:Insulin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood*; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D010991:Plethysmography; D012039:Regional Blood Flow; D013997:Time Factors; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000187:drug effects; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage
D001786:Blood Glucose; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D007328:Insulin; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D000241:Adenosine; D000109:Acetylcholine