Relationship between hyperinsulinemia and pulse wave velocity in moderately hyperglycemic patients

Aim: Arterial stiffness assessed by pulse wave velocity (PWV) reflects early stage arteriosclerosis. The influence of hyperinsulinemia on peripheral vascular disease (PVD) is still unknown. We determined the influences of hyperinsulinemia on PVD assessed by PWV in moderately hyperglycemic patients. Methods: Thirty-six moderately hyperglycemic, outcoming patients were recruited in this study. All subjects were divided into two groups by fasting immunoreactive insulin (F-IRI) concentrations; group A; F-IRI greater than or equal to 5 muU/ml, group B; F-IRI < 5 muU/ml. Both hbPWV (from heart to brachial artery) and baPWV (brachial to artery to ankle) were evaluated by using Form PWV/ABI, in addition to ankle-brachial pressure index (ABPI). Results: In group A, both hbPWV and baPWV showed significantly higher values than in group B. ABPIs were not different between two groups. Although age, FPG, plasma HbAlc, serum total-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol concentrations, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure were at same levels in group A as group B, body mass index, HOMA-R, serum triglyceride concentrations were significantly higher in group A, indicating the existence of insulin resistance in group A. Conclusion: Hyperinsulinemia may be involved in the development of PVD in moderately hyperglycemic patients. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.