Tetrahydrobiopterin increases insulin sensitivity in patients with type 2 diabetes and coronary heart disease

Abstract

Tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) is an essential cofactor of nitric oxide synthase that improves endothelial function in diabetics, smokers, and patients with hypercholesterolemia. Insulin resistance has been suggested as a contributing factor in the development of endothelial dysfunction via an abnormal pteridine metabolism. We hypothesized that BH4 would restore flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD, endothelial-dependent vasodilation), which may affect insulin resistance in type 2 diabetic patients. Thirty-two subjects (12 type 2 diabetic subjects, 10 matched nondiabetic subjects, and 10 healthy unmatched subjects) underwent infusion of BH4 or saline in a random crossover study. Insulin sensitivity index (SI) was measured by hyperinsulinemic isoglycemic clamp. FMD was measured using ultrasonography. BH4 significantly increased SI in the type 2 diabetics [3.6 ± 0.6 vs. 4.9 ± 0.7 × 10−4 dl·kg−1·min−1/(μU/ml), P < 0.05], while having no effects in nondiabetics [8.9 ± 1.1 vs. 9.0 ± 0.9 × 10−4 dl·kg−1·min−1/(μU/ml), P = 0.92] or in healthy subjects [17.5 ± 1.6 vs. 18 ± 1.8 × 10−4 dl·kg−1·min−1/(μU/ml), P = 0.87]. BH4 did not affect the relative changes in brachial artery diameter from baseline FMD (%) in type 2 diabetic subjects (2.3 ± 0.8 vs. 1.8 ± 1.0%, P = 0.42), nondiabetic subjects (5.3 ± 1.1 vs. 6.6 ± 0.9%, P = 0.32), or healthy subjects (11.9 ± 0.6 vs. 11.0 ± 1.0%, P = 0.48). In conclusion, BH4 significantly increases insulin sensitivity in type 2 diabetic patients without any discernible improvement in endothelial function.