Effect of Insulin on Endothelin-Dependent Vascular Tone in the Forearm Circulation

National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Status and phase: Completed; Phase 1

Conditions: Hyperinsulinemia

Treatments: Drug: Insulin

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: NIH

Identifiers

NCT00001624

97-H-0100

970100

Details and patient eligibility

About

Previous studies have shown that insulin may stimulate the release of endothelin (ET) from endothelial cells. This mechanism may contribute to the adverse vascular effects determined by chronic hyperinsulinemia. The aim of this study will be to evaluate the effect of local hyperinsulinemia on ET activity in the forearm circulation. To this purpose, we will assess the forearm blood flow response to ET receptor antagonism in control conditions and during intraarterial infusion of insulin. We will also measure changes in plasma ET-1 levels in response to the different pharmacological stimuli.

Full description

Previous studies have shown that insulin may stimulate the release of endothelin (ET) from endothelial cells. This mechanism may contribute to the adverse vascular effects determined by chronic hyperinsulinemia. The aim of this study will be to evaluate the effect of local hyperinsulinemia on ET activity in the forearm circulation. To this purpose, we will assess the forearm blood flow response to ET receptor antagonism in control conditions and during intraarterial infusion of insulin. We will also measure changes in plasma ET-1 levels in response to the different pharmacological stimuli.

Sex: All

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion and exclusion criteria

Between 40-65 years old.

No medications.

No medical problems.

No serum cholesterol levels below 200 mg/dl.

No contraceptives.