Insulin sensitivity and big ET-1 conversion to ET-1 after ETA- or ETB-receptor blockade in humans

Abstract

Cardiovascular diseases are characterized by insulin resistance and elevated endothelin (ET)-1 levels. Furthermore, ET-1 induces insulin resistance. To elucidate this mechanism, six healthy subjects were studied during a hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp during infusion of (the ET-1 precursor) big ET-1 alone or after ETA- or ETB-receptor blockade. Insulin levels rose after big ET-1 with or without the ETB antagonist BQ-788 ( P < 0.05) but were unchanged after the ETA antagonist BQ-123 + big ET-1. Infused glucose divided by insulin fell after big ET-1 with or without BQ-788 ( P < 0.05). Insulin and infused glucose divided by insulin values were normalized by ETA blockade. Mean arterial blood pressure rose during big ET-1 with or without BQ-788 ( P < 0.001) but was unchanged after BQ-123. Skeletal muscle, splanchnic, and renal blood flow responses to big ET-1 were abolished by BQ-123. ET-1 levels rose after big ET-1 ( P< 0.01) in a similar way after BQ-123 or BQ-788, despite higher elimination capacity after ETA blockade. In conclusion, ET-1-induced reduction in insulin sensitivity and clearance as well as splanchnic and renal vasoconstriction are ETA mediated. ETA-receptor stimulation seems to inhibit the conversion of big ET-1 to ET-1.