Phenotypic characterization of insulin-resistant and insulin-sensitive obesity
RIS ID
103743
Abstract
Context: While insulin resistance and obesity coexist, some obese individuals remain insulin-sensitive. Objective: We examined phenotypic and metabolic factors associated with insulin sensitivity in both muscle and liver in obese individuals. Design and participants: Sixty-four non-diabetic obese adults (29 males) underwent hyperinsulinemic (15 and 80 mU/m2/min)-euglycemic clamps with deuterated glucose. Top tertile subjects for glucose infusion rate during the high-dose insulin clamp (GIRHI) were assigned Musclesen and those in the lower two tertiles were assigned Muscleres. Secondarily, top tertile subjects for endogenous glucose production (EGP) suppression during the low-dose insulin clamp were deemed Liversen and the remainder Liverres. Main outcomes measures: Clinical and laboratory parameters and visceral, subcutaneous, liver and pancreatic fat were compared. Results: Musclesen and Muscleres had similar body mass index and total fat (P≥0.12), but Musclesen had lower HbA1c (P<0.001) and systolic (P=0.01) and diastolic (P=0.03) blood pressure (BP). Despite similar subcutaneous fat (P=0.83), Musclesen had lower visceral (P<0.001) and liver (P<0.001) fat. Liversen had lower visceral (P<0.01) and liver (P<0.01) fat and CRP (P=0.02) than Liverres. When subjects were grouped by both GIRHI and EGP suppression, insulin sensitivity at either muscle or liver conferred apparent protection from the adverse metabolic features that characterized subjects insulin-resistant at both sites. HDL-cholesterol, 1-hour glucose, systolic BP and triglycerides explained 54% of the variance in muscle insulin sensitivity. Conclusions: Obese subjects who were insulin-sensitive at muscle and/or liver exhibited favorable metabolic features, including lower BP, liver and visceral adiposity. This study identifies factors associated with, and possibly contributing to, insulin sensitivity in obesity.
Publication Details
Chen, D. L., Liess, C., Poljak, A., Xu, A., Zhang, J., Thoma, C., Trenell, M., Milner, B., Jenkins, A. B., Chisholm, D. J., Samocha-Bonet, D. & Greenfield, J. R. (2015). Phenotypic characterization of insulin-resistant and insulin-sensitive obesity. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, 100 (11), 4082-4091.