DOC News November 1, 2005
Volume 2 Number 11 p. 12
© 2005 American Diabetes Association
Insulin Function Linked to Coronary Artery Disease
Research suggests that insulin resistance is a risk factor for theatherosclerosis at the root of coronary artery disease (CAD). A new studyrecently published in Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism suggests thatinsulin resistance is linked to the severity of CAD, even in the absence ofdiabetes.
The study included 74 patients <70 years of age who were undergoingcoronary angiography or percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA).None of the patients was being treated with glucose-lowering therapy orlipid-lowering therapy. And none had recently had a heart attack, heartfailure, or serious medical problem.
All patients underwent angiography to evaluate the number of affectedcoronary vessels and the extent of atherosclerosis. Researchers measuredheight and weight to calculate body mass index (BMI), and drew blood for HDLcholesterol, C-reactive protein, and measures of insulin sensitivity.
The researchers found a correlation between insulin resistance and theseverity of CAD. The worse a person's insulin sensitivity, the greater theextent of coronary stenosis. This was true even in people who did not havediabetes. "These results suggest that insulin resistance may play amajor role in the development of diffuse coronary artery stenosis," theyconclude.
Kwon K, Choi D, Koo BK, et al.: Decreased insulinsensitivity is associated with the extent of coronary artery disease inpatients with angina. Diabetes Obes Metab 7: 579–585, 2005[Medline].
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