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Increased insulin resistance found in patients with mild lupus
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Patients with mild lupus had increased insulin resistance and hyperglucagonemia, while having normal glucose tolerance and a preserved beta-cell function and skeletal muscle GLUT-4 translocation, according to recently published data.
Eloisa Bonfá, PhD, at the University of Sao Paulo School of Medicine in Brazil, and colleagues assessed insulin sensitivity and beta-cell function in 33 women with mild or inactive systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and 16 age- and BMI-matched healthy controls (CTRL) in response to a meal tolerance test (MTT). Researchers also evaluated skeletal muscle protein expression of total and membrane GLUT-4 in patients with lupus (n = 10) and healthy controls (n = 5), with muscle biopsies performed after MTT. In addition, they measured inflammatory cytokines, adipocytokines, physical activity level, body composition and food intake.
Researchers found the SLE and CTRL groups had similar fasting glucose, glucose response and skeletal muscle GLUT-4 translocation after MTT. However, the SLE group had higher fasting insulin levels, homeostasis model assessment index, insulin-to-glucose ratio response to MTT, fasting glucagon levels and glucagon response to MTT. The group also showed a tendency toward lower Matsuda index of whole-body insulin sensitivity compared with the CTRL group. In addition, fasting proinsulin-to-insulin ratio and proinsulin-to-insulin ratio response to MTT were comparable between the two groups; whereas, SLE had a higher insulinogenic index compared with CTRL.
Researchers concluded they identified a bi-hormone metabolic abnormality characterized by increased insulin resistance and hyperglucagonemia. – by Will Offit
Disclosures: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
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