The Microvasculature in Insulin Resistance and Type 2 Diabetes

Michael G. Clark; Eugene J. Barrett; Michelle G. Wallis; Michelle A. Vincent; Stephen Rattigan

doi:10.1055/s-2002-23506

Seminars in Vascular Medicine, Table of Contents

Semin Vasc Med 2002; 2(1): 021-032
DOI: 10.1055/s-2002-23506

The Microvasculature in Insulin Resistance and Type 2 Diabetes

Michael G. Clark¹ , Eugene J. Barrett² , Michelle G. Wallis¹ , Michelle A. Vincent² , Stephen Rattigan¹

¹Department of Biochemistry, Medical School, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
²Health Sciences Center, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Insulin resistance of muscle has been attributed to impairment of elements of insulin signaling, glucose transport, and/or metabolism within the muscle cells. This article explores the notion that a component of insulin resistance in vivo may result from impaired hemodynamic effects of this hormone to facilitate access to the muscle cells for itself and other nutrients, including glucose. In chronic situations this may manifest as a decreased capillary density of muscle, but in the acute, there may be impaired mechanisms for increasing total limb blood flow or for achieving optimal microvascular perfusion. Newly developed techniques show that insulin acts to recruit muscle capillary flow to enhance microvascular perfusion in animals and humans. This microvascular effect of insulin correlates closely with muscle glucose uptake, is independent of increases in bulk blood flow, and is impaired in obese insulin-resistant patients. Similarly, there are impaired vasodilatory responses in the skin of diabetic subjects.

KEYWORD

Insulin action - insulin resistance - capillary recruitment - muscle - skin

Full Text

References

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