Erythrocyte Insulin Receptors following Myocardial Infarction in Non-Diabetic Subjects

Abstract

To determine whether changes in insulin receptors follow acute myocardial infarction, 10 non-diabetic patients were studied on admission to a coronary care unit and 24 h later. Erythrocyte insulin receptors were 86 (50–406) per cell [median (range)] initially and increased significantly to 203 (73–714). Maximum percent specific binding and 50% inhibition of tracer binding did not change significantly. Decreased receptor number after myocardial infarction may contribute to insulin resistance in the acute phase.