Hyperandrogenism and insulin resistance frequently coexist, although the cause and effect relationship of this association is not clear. The possibility that hyperandrogenism may induce insulin insensitivity, with resultant hyperinsulinemia, has become of increased clinical importance. This heightened significance stems from epidemiologic reports suggesting a link of hyperinsulinism with atherosclerosis and coronary vascular disease. Examination of the effect of androgens on insulin sensitivity has primarily utilized glucose tolerance testing. Our preliminary studies have utilized """"""""clamp"""""""" methodologies which fix glucose or glucose and insulin concentrations at predetermined levels, thereby minimizing homeostatic responses and allowing evaluation of the effect of each individual parameter. In our studies, methyltestosterone administration resulted in a reduction in insulin sensitivity in normal women, when assessed either by the euglycemic, hyperinsulinemic clamp technique or the hyperglycemic clamp technique. Furthermore, testosterone administration markedly reduced glucose uptake in dogs during euglycemic, hyperinsulinemic clamp studies. This protocol will test the hypothesis suggested by these three studies, namely that testosterone induces insulin insensitivity. The proposal will evaluate insulin sensitivity after elevation or reduction of testosterone levels in humans and animals. The techniques to be utilized are l) euglycemic, hyperinsulinemic clamp studies in association with 3-3H-glucose and L-[l-13C)leucine infusion and the performance of indirect calorimetry, 2) hyperglycemic clamp procedures, and 3) 24h whole body calorimetry studies. The mechanism of testosterone action will be assessed by indirect calorimetry to determine the fate of glucose and leucine taken up by muscle (either oxidation or storage). Lastly, this proposal will examine the sexual dimorphism that exists with regard to the ability of testosterone to reduce insulin sensitivity in women, but not in men in whom testosterone levels are several-fold higher.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development (NICHD)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
1R01HD028984-01A1
Application #
3330506
Study Section
Reproductive Endocrinology Study Section (REN)
Project Start
1994-05-01
Project End
1994-08-31
Budget Start
1994-05-01
Budget End
1994-08-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
1994
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Department
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
004413456
City
Nashville
State
TN
Country
United States
Zip Code
37212
Diamond, Michael P; Kruger, Michael; Collins, Karen et al. (2005) Antecubital vein venous sampling does not distort circulating levels of peptide and sex steroid hormones. Fertil Steril 83:1557-60
Diamond, Michael P; Chauhan, Subodhsingh; Kruger, Michael et al. (2003) Values of fasting glucose levels, glucose tolerance tests, and glucose-insulin ratios as predictors of glucose tolerance. Fertil Steril 80:1022-5
Diamond, M P; Grainger, D; Diamond, M C et al. (1998) Effects of methyltestosterone on insulin secretion and sensitivity in women. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 83:4420-5
Diamond, M P; Thornton, K; Connolly-Diamond, M et al. (1995) Reciprocal variations in insulin-stimulated glucose uptake and pancreatic insulin secretion in women with normal glucose tolerance. J Soc Gynecol Investig 2:708-15