Insulin Resistance and Hypertension in Non-obese Africans in Tanzania

Abstract

Abstract —Insulin sensitivity was assessed using a glucose-insulin infusion test in 15 newly diagnosed non-obese hypertensive black Tanzanians with normal glucose tolerance and in 15 normotensive control subjects matched for age, sex, and body mass index. The steady-state blood glucose and metabolic clearance rate of glucose (MCR) were used as measures of insulin sensitivity. The mean MCR (glucose) was significantly reduced (7.12±0.57 versus 9.50±0.69 μmol/kg per minute; P <.05) and mean steady-state blood glucose was significantly elevated (5.0±0.3 versus 3.7±0.3 mmol/L; P <.01) in subjects with hypertension compared with the normotensive group. For all subjects there was a significant inverse correlation between MCR (glucose) and systolic ( P =.003) and diastolic ( P =.005) blood pressure; and a positive correlation was found between fasting serum insulin levels and systolic ( P =.005) and diastolic ( P =.004) blood pressure. These observations were independent of body mass index and serum lipid levels. These data indicate a strong association between insulin mediated glucose uptake and blood pressure in this population of normal weight untreated urban Africans.