Dilated cardiomyopathy: from epidemiologic to genetic phenotypes: A translational review of current literature.

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is characterized by left ventricular dilatation and, consecutively, contractile dysfunction. The causes of DCM are heterogeneous. DCM often results from myocarditis, exposure to alcohol, drugs or other toxins and metabolic or endocrine disturbances. In about 35% of patients, genetic mutations can be identified that usually involve genes responsible for cytoskeletal, sarcomere and nuclear envelope proteins. Due to its heterogeneity, a detailed diagnostic work-up is necessary to identify the specific underlying cause and exclude other conditions with phenotype overlap. Patients with DCM show typical systolic heart failure symptoms, but, with progress of the disease, diastolic dysfunction is present as well. Depending on the underlying pathology, DCM patients also become apparent through arrhythmias, thromboembolic events or cardiogenic shock. Disease progression and prognosis are mostly driven by disease severity and reverse remodelling within the heart. The worst prognosis is seen in patients with lowest ejection fractions or severe diastolic dysfunction, leading to terminal heart failure with subsequent need for left ventricular assist device implantation or heart transplantation. Guideline-based heart failure medication and device therapy reduces the frequency of heart failure hospitalizations and improves survival.

Analysis of Minimally Invasive Left Thoracotomy HVAD Implantation - A Single-Center Experience.

BACKGROUND: Minimally invasive left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation may reduce peri-/postoperative complications and risks associated with resternotomies. In this study, we describe our first results using a minimally invasive LVAD implantation technique (lateral thoracotomy [LT] group). These results were compared with LVAD implantations done via full median sternotomy (STX group). METHODS: HVAD (HeartWare, Framingham, Massachusetts, United States) implantations in 70 patients (LT group n = 22, 52 ± 15 years old; STX group n = 48, 59 ± 11 years old) were retrospectively analyzed. Minimally invasive access via left thoracotomy was feasible in 22 patients. Peri- and postoperative analyses of survival and adverse events were performed. RESULTS: No survival differences were observed between the LT and STX group (p = 0.43). LT patients without temporary right ventricular assist device (tRVAD) showed a significantly better survival rate compared to LT patients with concomitant tRVAD implantation (p = 0.02), which could not be demonstrated in the STX group (p = 0.11). Two LT and four STX patients were successfully bridged to heart transplantation and three STX patients were successfully weaned with subsequent LVAD explantations. LVAD-related infections (n = 4 LT group vs n = 20 STX group, p = 0.04) were less likely in the LT group. No wound dehiscence occurred in the LT group, whereas five were observed in the STX group (p = 0.17). The amount of perioperative blood transfusions (within the first 7 postoperative days) did not differ in both study groups (p = 0.48). CONCLUSION: The minimally invasive approach is a viable alternative with the possibility to reduce complications and should be particularly considered for bridge-to-transplant patients.

Role of PI3K, MAPK/ERK1/2, and p38 in implementation of the proliferative and differentiation potential of erythroid progenitors after blood loss.

The involvement of PI3K, ERK and p38-dependent signaling system in the regulation of functional activity of erythroid precursors after blood loss (30% of circulating volume) was studied. We demonstrated the important role of PI3K and p38 in the suppression of differentiation of erythroid precursors the contribution of p38 to stimulation of mitotic activity of erythroid CFU, which maintains the growth potential of the precursors at the optimal physiological level. The classical MAPK/ERK-kinase pathway does not determine the proliferative and differentiation status of erythroid CFU.

Formation of asteroid pairs by rotational fission.

Pairs of asteroids sharing similar heliocentric orbits, but not bound together, were found recently. Backward integrations of their orbits indicated that they separated gently with low relative velocities, but did not provide additional insight into their formation mechanism. A previously hypothesized rotational fission process may explain their formation-critical predictions are that the mass ratios are less than about 0.2 and, as the mass ratio approaches this upper limit, the spin period of the larger body becomes long. Here we report photometric observations of a sample of asteroid pairs, revealing that the primaries of pairs with mass ratios much less than 0.2 rotate rapidly, near their critical fission frequency. As the mass ratio approaches 0.2, the primary period grows long. This occurs as the total energy of the system approaches zero, requiring the asteroid pair to extract an increasing fraction of energy from the primary's spin in order to escape. We do not find asteroid pairs with mass ratios larger than 0.2. Rotationally fissioned systems beyond this limit have insufficient energy to disrupt. We conclude that asteroid pairs are formed by the rotational fission of a parent asteroid into a proto-binary system, which subsequently disrupts under its own internal system dynamics soon after formation.

A photometric redshift of z = 6.39 +/- 0.12 for GRB 050904.

Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) and their afterglows are the most brilliant transient events in the Universe. Both the bursts themselves and their afterglows have been predicted to be visible out to redshifts of z approximately 20, and therefore to be powerful probes of the early Universe. The burst GRB 000131, at z = 4.50, was hitherto the most distant such event identified. Here we report the discovery of the bright near-infrared afterglow of GRB 050904 (ref. 4). From our measurements of the near-infrared afterglow, and our failure to detect the optical afterglow, we determine the photometric redshift of the burst to be z = 6.39 - 0.12 + 0.11 (refs 5-7). Subsequently, it was measured spectroscopically to be z = 6.29 +/- 0.01, in agreement with our photometric estimate. These results demonstrate that GRBs can be used to trace the star formation, metallicity, and reionization histories of the early Universe.

Synthesis of an organoinsulin molecule that can be activated by antibody catalysis.

We have developed a methodology of prodrug delivery by using a modified insulin species whose biological activity potentially can be regulated in vivo. Native insulin was derivatized with aldol-terminated chemical modifications that can be selectively removed by the catalytic aldolase antibody 38C2 under physiologic conditions. The derivatized organoinsulin (insulin(D)) was defective with respect to receptor binding and stimulation of glucose transport. The affinity of insulin(D) for the insulin receptor was reduced by 90% in binding studies using intact cells. The ability of insulin(D) to stimulate glucose transport was reduced by 96% in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and by 55% in conscious rats. Incubation of insulin(D) with the catalytic aldolase antibody 38C2 cleaved all of the aldol-terminated modifications, restoring native insulin. Treatment of insulin(D) with 38C2 also restored insulin(D)'s receptor binding and glucose transport-stimulating activities in vitro, as well as its ability to lower glucose levels in animals in vivo. We propose that these results are the foundation for an in vivo regulated system of insulin activation using the prohormone insulin(D) and catalytic antibody 38C2 with potential therapeutic application.

Thiazolidinedione treatment prevents free fatty acid-induced insulin resistance in male wistar rats.

We sought to ascertain whether pretreatment with troglitazone (20 days) could prevent acute free fatty acid (FFA)-induced insulin resistance in male Wistar rats. Animals were divided into three groups: 1) control, 2) FFA infusion alone (FFA1), and 3) thiazolidinedione (TZD)-treated + FFA infusion (FFA1). Days before a hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp, all animals were cannulated in the jugular vein (infusion) and carotid artery (sampling). Animals were allowed 5 days to recover from surgery and fasted 12 h before the experiment. Glucose (variable), insulin (40 mU. kg(-1). min(-1)), and Liposyn (heparinized 10% lipid emulsion) infusions were initiated simultaneously and continued from 0-120 min. Steady-state glucose, 8.3 +/- 0.14 mmol/l, and insulin concentrations, 7.3 +/- 2.45 nmol/l, were the same between groups. Interestingly, steady-state FFA levels were significantly lower in animals pretreated with TZD compared with FFA alone (1.83 +/- 0.26 vs. 2.96 +/- 0.25 mmol/l; P = 0.009), despite matched intralipid infusion rates. A second group of TZD-treated animals (TZD + FFA2) were infused with intralipid at a higher infusion rate (44%) to match the arterial concentrations of FFA1. The glucose infusion and insulin-stimulated glucose disposal rates (GDRs) were significantly decreased (40%) for untreated Liposyn infused (FFA1) compared with control rats. In addition, insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) phosphorylation and IRS-1-associated phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase activity was significantly reduced, 30-50%, in FFA1 rats. TZD pretreatment prevented the FFA-induced decrement in insulin signaling. Fatty acid translocase (FAT/CD36) also was significantly reduced (56%) in untreated FFA1 rats after the clamp but remained identical to control values for TZD-treated rats. In conclusion, acutely elevated FFA levels 1) induced a significant reduction in tracer-determined GDR paralleled by impaired tyrosine phosphorylation of IRS-1 and reduced IRS-1-associated PI 3-kinase activity and 2) induced a significant reduction in FAT/CD36 total protein. TZD pretreatment prevented FFA-induced decrements in insulin action and prevented the reduction in FAT/CD36 protein.

Exercise and thiazolidinedione therapy normalize insulin action in the obese Zucker fatty rat.

Thiazolidinediones and exercise are both known to improve insulin action independently. Therefore, we determined whether combined therapy could normalize insulin action in the Zucker fatty (ZF) rat. Rats were fed troglitazone as a 0.2% food admixture over a 3-week exercise training period (treadmill running 5 days/week, 20 m/min, 0% grade, 60 min/day). Subsequent to drug and/or exercise therapy, animals were chronically cannulated in the carotid artery (sampling) and jugular vein (infusion). After a 4-day recovery from surgery, animals were exposed to a hyperinsulinemic (40 mU x kg(-1) x min(-1)) euglycemic clamp (8.5 +/- 0.12 mmol/l; P = 0.45 between groups). Independently, exercise (n = 7) and troglitazone (n = 7) improved the glucose disposal rate 20% (P = 0.04) and 76% (P = 0.001), respectively, when compared with untreated ZF controls (n = 11). In combination, exercise and troglitazone therapy (n = 6) produced significant increments in the following: tracer-determined glucose disposal rate (combined therapy, 52.4 +/- 2.9 mg x kg(-1) x min(-1), vs. untreated ZF, 25.8 +/- 0.8 mg x kg(-1) x min(-1); P = 0.0001), total GLUT4 protein (twofold increase; P = 0.001), insulin receptor substrate (IRS)-1 protein (fourfold increase; P = 0.0001), and Akt phosphorylation (2.9-fold increase; P = 0.002). In conclusion, 1) exercise and troglitazone therapy each improved insulin action in the ZF rat, whereas the combination of the two led to complete normalization of insulin sensitivity, and 2) combination treatment also resulted in normalization of GLUT4 total protein, IRS-1 protein, and Akt phosphorylation compared with lean littermates.

Platelet-derived growth factor inhibits insulin stimulation of insulin receptor substrate-1-associated phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase in 3T3-L1 adipocytes without affecting glucose transport.

Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) activation is necessary for insulin-responsive glucose transporter (GLUT4) translocation and glucose transport. Insulin and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) stimulate PI3K activity in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, but only insulin is capable of stimulating GLUT4 translocation and glucose transport. We found that PDGF causes serine/threonine phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS-1) in 3T3-L1 cells, measured by altered mobility on SDS-polyacrylamide gel, and this leads to a decrease in insulin-stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of IRS-1. The PI3K inhibitors wortmannin and LY294002 inhibit the PDGF-induced phosphorylation of IRS-1, whereas the MEK inhibitor PD98059 was without a major effect. PDGF pretreatment for 60-90 min led to a marked 80-90% reduction in insulin stimulatable phosphotyrosine and IRS-1-associated PI3K activity. We examined the functional consequences of this decrease in IRS-1-associated PI3K activity. Interestingly, insulin stimulation of GLUT4 translocation and glucose transport was unaffected by 60-90 min of PDGF preincubation. Furthermore, insulin activation of Akt and p70(s6kinase), kinases downstream of PI3K, was unaffected by PDGF pretreatment. Wortmannin was capable of blocking these insulin actions following PDGF pretreatment, suggesting that PI3K was still necessary for these effects. In conclusion, 1) PDGF causes serine/threonine phosphorylation of IRS-1, and PI3K, or a kinase downstream of PI3K, mediates this phosphorylation. 2) This PDGF-induced phosphorylation of IRS-1 leads to a significant decrease in insulin-stimulated PI3K activity. 3) PDGF has no effect on insulin stimulation of Akt, p70(s6kinase), GLUT4 translocation, or glucose transport. 4) This suggests the existence of an IRS-1-independent pathway leading to the activation of PI3K, Akt, and p70(s6kinase); GLUT4 translocation; and glucose transport.

Elevated insulin-like growth factor I receptor autophosphorylation and kinase activity in human breast cancer.

Insulin-like growth factor I action has been implicated in the pathogenesis of many different malignancies, including breast cancer. Insulin-like growth factor I receptors (IGF-IRs) are overexpressed in virtually all breast cancer cell lines, in which they are believed to enhance growth and inhibit apoptosis. In this study, the functional activity of IGF-IRs from normal and malignant human breast tissue was assessed. IGF-IR expression was 14-fold higher in malignant breast tissue than in normal breast tissue. IGF-IR autophosphorylation and kinase activity were 2-4-fold higher in purified receptor preparations from malignant breast tissue as compared to normal breast tissue when normalized for receptor number. This increase in receptor function, coupled with the enhanced receptor expression, amounts to a 40-fold elevation in IGF-IR tyrosine kinase activity in malignant breast tissue. The enhanced receptor autophosphorylation and kinase activity were observed in the absence of hormonal stimulation and seem to result from an alteration in the intrinsic activity of the receptor itself. Protein tyrosine phosphatase activity is also increased in malignant breast tissue. These data suggest that the IGF-IR is an important target for breast cancer therapy.

Mechanisms of the kinetic defect in insulin action in obesity and NIDDM.

To evaluate kinetic defects in insulin action, we performed time-course studies during hyperinsulinemic (120 mU x m(-2) x min(-1)) isoglycemic clamps in seven subjects with NIDDM (194 +/- 29 mg/dl) and in seven lean and seven obese nondiabetic subjects. The time course of whole-body glucose disposal rate (GDR), leg glucose uptake (LGU), hepatic glucose output (HGO), and muscle insulin receptor tyrosine kinase (IRTK) activation were measured. The obese and NIDDM subjects had marked delays in activation of GDR (T50 74 +/- 14 and 95 +/- 15 min, respectively, compared with 33 +/- 2 min in lean control subjects), arteriovenous glucose difference (T50 80 +/- 12 and 109 +/- 31 min compared with 30 +/- 3 min) and LGU (T50 89 +/- 25 and 98 +/- 27 min compared with 29 +/- 4 min). All three measurements reached normal levels in the NIDDM group after 4-5 h of insulin infusion. Although only a limited number of data points could be obtained from serial muscle biopsies, no delay in the rate of activation of IRTK was apparent in the obese and NIDDM groups. In conclusion, 1) in obese and NIDDM subjects, insulin-mediated GDR and LGU are delayed to a similar degree; 2) mass action normalizes GDR and LGU in NIDDM, but only after several hours of insulin infusion; and 3) The kinetic defect in NIDDM and obesity most likely involves intracellular loci distal to activation of the insulin receptor kinase.

Protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B interacts with the activated insulin receptor.

Protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) is a protein tyrosine phosphatase of unknown function, although increasing evidence supports a role for this phosphatase in insulin action. We have investigated the interaction of PTP1B with the insulin receptor using a PTP1B glutathione S-transferase (GST) fusion protein with a point mutation in the enzyme's catalytic domain. This fusion protein is catalytically inactive, but the phosphatase's phosphotyrosine binding site is maintained. The activated insulin receptor was precipitated from purified receptor preparations and whole-cell lysates by the inactive PTP1B-GST, demonstrating a direct association between the insulin receptor and PTP1B. A p120 of unknown identity was also precipitated from whole-cell lysates by the PTP1B fusion protein, but IRS-1 (pp185) was not. A catalytically inactive [35S]PTP1B-fusion protein bound directly to immobilized insulin receptor kinase domains and was displaced in a concentration-dependent manner. Finally, tyrosine-phosphorylated PTP1B was precipitated from whole-cell lysates by an anti-insulin receptor antibody after insulin stimulation. The site of interaction between PTP1B and the insulin receptor was studied using phosphopeptides modeled after the receptor's kinase domain, the NPXY domain, and the COOH-terminal. Each phosphopeptide inhibited the PTP1B-GST:insulin receptor interaction. Study of mutant insulin receptors demonstrated that activation of the kinase domain is necessary for the PTP1B:insulin receptor interaction, but receptors with deletion of the NPXY domain or of the COOH-terminal can still bind to the PTP1B-GST. We conclude that PTP1B can associate directly with the activated insulin receptor at multiple different phosphotyrosine sites and that dephosphorylation by PTP1B may play a significant role in insulin receptor signal transduction.

Repression of the insulin receptor promoter by the tumor suppressor gene product p53: a possible mechanism for receptor overexpression in breast cancer.

There is strong evidence to suggest that insulin and insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I may be important for tumor growth. Both the insulin and IGF-I receptors (IGF-IR) are overexpressed in breast cancer, and antibody blockade of the IGF-IR inhibits the growth of some breast cancer cell lines. Furthermore, expression of an insulin receptor (IR) in a normal mammary epithelia] cell line causes insulin-dependent transformation. Functional inactivation of p53 is also very frequent in many tumors. In this paper, we investigated whether inactivation of p53 might be involved in the overexpression of the IR in malignancy, specifically breast cancer. We demonstrate a positive correlation between IR and IGF-IR levels and p53 overexpression in primary human breast malignancies. To examine possible mechanisms by which p53 may regulate IR gene expression, we show that p53 can repress the IR promoter and that a dominant-negative p53 (248Q) can de-repress the promoter in cells containing normal p53. The p53 effect was shown to be mediated by C/EBP and Sp1 transcription factors. We also documented that p53-null mice had elevated levels of Sp1, but not C/EBPalpha, and that insulin binding to liver extracts was increased compared to wild-type controls. These results suggest that p53 inactivation may lead to an up-regulation of genes, such as the IR, that are dependent on these transcription factors.

Kinetics of insulin action in vivo. Identification of rate-limiting steps.

To examine the kinetic steps in insulin's in vivo action, we have assessed the temporal relationship between arterial insulin, interstitial insulin, glucose disposal rate (GDR), and insulin receptor kinase (IRK) activity in muscle and between portal insulin, hepatic glucose production (HGP), and IRK activity in liver. Interstitial insulin, as measured by lymph-insulin concentration (muscle only), and IRK activity were used as independent methods to determine the arrival of insulin at its tissue site of action. Euglycemic clamps were conducted in seven mongrel dogs and consisted of an activation phase with a venous insulin infusion (7.2 nmol.kg-1.min-1, 100 min) and a deactivation phase. Liver and muscle biopsies were taken to assess IRK activity. Arterial, portal, and lymph insulin rose to 636 +/- 12, 558 +/- 18, and 402 +/- 24 pmol/l, respectively. GDR increased from 13.9 +/- 0.6 to 41.7 +/- 2.8, and HGP declined from 14.4 +/- 0.6 to 1.1 +/- 0.6 mumol.kg-1.min-1. Muscle and liver IRK activity increased significantly from 5.9 +/- 0.9 to 14.6 +/- 0.6 and 5.5 +/- 0.7 to 23.7 +/- 1.9 fmol P/fmol insulin receptor (IR), respectively. The time to half-maximum response (t1/2a) for stimulation of GDR (19.8 +/- 4.8 min) and suppression of HGP (21.5 +/- 3.7 min) were similar. The t1/2a for stimulation of GDR, muscle IRK, and rise in lymph insulin were not significantly different from one another and were all markedly greater than that for the approach to steady state of arterial insulin (2.3 +/- 1.2 min, P < 0.01).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Localization of the insulin-like growth factor I receptor binding sites for the SH2 domain proteins p85, Syp, and GTPase activating protein.

Potential signaling substrates for the insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) receptor are SH2 domain proteins including the p85 subunit of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, the tyrosine phosphatase Syp, GTPase activating protein (GAP), and phospholipase C-gamma (PLC-gamma). In this study, we demonstrate an association between the IGF-I receptor and p85, Syp, and GAP, but not with PLC-gamma in lysates of cells overexpressing the human IGF-I receptor. We further investigated these interactions using glutathione S-transferase (GST) fusion proteins containing the amino-terminal SH2 domains of p85 or GAP, or both SH2 domains of Syp or PLC-gamma to precipitate the IGF-I receptor from purified receptor preparations and from whole cell lysates. p85-, Syp-, and GAP-GSTs precipitated the IGF-I receptor, whereas the PLC-gamma-GST did not. Using phosphopeptides corresponding to IGF-I receptor phosphorylation sites, we determined that the p85- and Syp-GST association with the IGF-I receptor could be inhibited by a carboxyl-terminal peptide containing pY1316 and that the GAP-GST association could be inhibited by a NPXY domain peptide. The GAP-GST binding site was confirmed by showing that a mutant IGF-I receptor with a deletion of the NPXY domain including tyrosine 950 was poorly precipitated by the GAP-GST. We conclude that p85 and Syp may bind directly to the IGF-I receptor at tyrosine 1316, and that GAP may bind to the IGF-I receptor at and PLC-gamma was not evident. p85, Syp, and GAP are potential modulators of IGF-I receptor signal transduction.

A functional assessment of insulin/insulin-like growth factor-I hybrid receptors.

Insulin/insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) hybrid receptors are composed of an alpha beta-heterodimer from an insulin receptor and an alpha beta-heterodimer from an IGF-I receptor. In this study, we evaluate the effect of insulin receptor overexpression on hybrid formation. The more human insulin receptors expressed in rodent fibroblasts, the greater the percentage of endogenous rat IGF-I receptors that form hybrid receptors. The IGF-I receptor in rodent fibroblasts has two receptor isoforms, one with a 95-kilodalton (kDa) beta-subunit and one with an 105 kDa beta-subunit. A truncated mutant insulin receptor was used to demonstrate that only activated IGF-I receptors with the 105-kDa beta-subunit form hybrid receptors with the insulin receptor. Insulin/IGF-I hybrid receptors with a kinase-defective insulin heterodimer undergo trans and a small amount of cis autophosphorylation, but overall autophosphorylation is markedly decreased from that seen in hybrids with a kinase-competent insulin receptor. The kinase-defective insulin receptor heterodimer functions as a dominant-negative, inhibiting phosphorylation by the kinase-competent IGF-I receptor heterodimer. The kinase-defective hybrid receptors are, however, able to undergo internalization. Despite an increasing percentage of insulin/IGF-I hybrid receptors in the three cell lines studied, the rates of IGF-I internalization and degradation remain similar to those mediated by the IGF-I receptor and distinct from those of insulin receptor heterotetramers. In conclusion, IGF-I-stimulated insulin/IGF-I hybrid receptors function like IGF-I receptors, rather than like insulin receptors.

Localization of the insulin receptor binding sites for the SH2 domain proteins p85, Syp, and GAP.

The insulin receptor is known to interact with the SH2 domain proteins p85 (the regulatory subunit of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase), Syp (a tyrosine phosphatase), and GAP (GTPase-activating protein). In this study, we mapped the insulin receptor binding sites for each of these proteins by examining the ability of phosphopeptides, corresponding to insulin receptor phosphorylation sites, and mutant insulin receptors to inhibit an insulin receptor-SH2 domain interaction. Precipitation of partially purified insulin receptors by glutathione S-transferase fusion proteins containing the N-terminal SH2 domains of p85 and GAP and both SH2 domains of Syp was demonstrated. The effect of the addition of each phosphopeptide on insulin receptor precipitation was tested. pY1322, the C-terminal insulin receptor peptide, inhibited insulin receptor precipitation by both p85- and Syp-GST. The NPXY internalization domain peptide inhibited insulin receptor precipitation by GAP-GST. These data were confirmed by mutant insulin receptor experiments. The insulin receptor C-terminal mutants, delta CT and Y/F2, were not precipitated by p85- or Syp-GST and the NPXY mutant insulin receptors, delta Ex16 and HI delta NPEY, were not precipitated by GAP-GST. Therefore, we conclude that p85 and Syp bind to the insulin receptor C terminus at tyrosine 1322 and GAP binds to the insulin receptor NPXY domain at tyrosine 960.

Mechanisms of cellular insulin resistance in human pregnancy.

OBJECTIVES: The cellular mechanism(s) of insulin resistance developed during pregnancy were studied by investigating the functionality of insulin receptors and glucose transport. STUDY DESIGN: Abdominal adipose tissue was obtained from eight lean pregnant and nine control subjects, matched for insulin resistance by intravenous glucose tolerance testing. Insulin receptor binding and glucose transport were measured in freshly isolated adipocytes. Receptor kinase activity was measured on partially purified receptors. Data were analyzed by Student t test. RESULTS: High-affinity insulin receptors were reduced in cells from pregnant compared with normal controls (2.0 +/- 0.4 vs 5.8 +/- 1.3 x 10(4) sites per cell, p < 0.05). Kinase activity of insulin receptors was unaltered in pregnancy. Adipocytes from pregnant subjects displayed a threefold decrease in insulin sensitivity for glucose transport (median effective concentration 324 +/- 93 vs 93 +/- 14 pmol/L, p < 0.025) and a reduction in maximal insulin-stimulated glucose transport (1.58 +/- 0.15 vs 2.33 +/- 0.24 pmol/10(5) cells/10 seconds, p < 0.025). CONCLUSIONS: These results show that adipocytes from pregnant subjects exhibit decreased insulin receptor number and an impaired insulin sensitivity in the absence of functional alterations of receptor kinase activity.

Role of human skeletal muscle insulin receptor kinase in the in vivo insulin resistance of noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and obesity.

To assess the role of insulin receptor (IR) tyrosine kinase in human insulin resistance, we examined the kinase activity of IR of skeletal muscle biopsies from eight lean and five obese nondiabetics and six obese subjects with noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). Biopsies were taken during euglycemic clamps at insulin infusion rates of 0, 40, 120, and 1200 mU/m2.min. IRs were immobilized on insulin agarose beads, and autophosphorylation and histone 2B phosphorylation were measured. Phosphatase and protease inhibitors preserved the in vivo phosphorylation state of the IRs. Glucose disposal rates (GDR) were reduced according to insulin dose by 23-30% in the obese (P < 0.05) and 43-64% in the NIDDM subjects (P < 0.0005). IR autophosphorylation was increased up to 9-fold in controls and was reduced (P = 0.04) in NIDDM compared to obese subjects. Histone-2B kinase was increased up to 6-fold in controls and was reduced by 50% in NIDDM. Kinase values by both methods were similar in lean and obese controls. In vivo stimulation of kinase was well correlated to the increase in GDR, as was the decrement in kinase in NIDDM to the decrement in GDR. These results suggest that defects in muscle IR kinase are significant in the in vivo insulin resistance of NIDDM, but not that of obesity.

Delayed onset of insulin activation of the insulin receptor kinase in vivo in human skeletal muscle.

During the infusion of insulin in vivo, the rate of activation of glucose disposal lags significantly behind the rate of increase in serum insulin levels. To determine whether this delay was related to transcapillary transport of insulin, we determined increments in serum insulin levels, glucose disposal rates (GDR), and insulin receptor (IR) kinase activity measured during continuous infusions of insulin (40 and 120 mU.m-2.min-1) administered to 8 nondiabetic males; similar studies were done at 1,200.m-2.min-1 in 2 of the subjects. Half-maximal insulin levels were achieved at a mean of 4.9 and 7.2 min during the 40 and 120 mU.m-2.min-1 clamps, respectively, with corresponding half-maximal GDR stimulation at a mean of 59 and 47 min. Unlike the rise in insulin levels, IR kinase activation was much slower with half-maximal activity occurring at approximately 40-60 min in the 2 clamps. Thus, the rise in serum insulin levels in each clamp was much faster than the increment in either kinase activity or glucose disposal. Insulin infusion increased both IR kinase and GDR maximally approximately 10-fold, with half-maximal stimulation at approximately 3,600 and approximately 700 pM, indicating spare kinase for glucose disposal. These results demonstrate that the delay in stimulation of glucose disposal by insulin is related to a rate-limiting step between the intravascular space and the cell-surface of skeletal muscle. This may involve delayed transendothelial transport of insulin.