Insulinemia: relation with obesity and high blood pressure

Abstract

Serum insulin levels in obese subjects with HBP are higher than normal and are associated with changes in the fats metabolism. Subjects with HBP show primary insulin resistance and their serum insulin values show variations according to the severity of hypertension. Fourty subjects (ages: between 20 and 45 years) from workers of the General Maintenance Service of the Central University of Venezuela were selected. The study group was classified as obese with or without HBP (n=28) and compared with the control group (n=12). We determined blood glucose and serum insulin levels in both groups. The most important findings in this study were: Higher values of fasting blood sugar and insulin in obese subjects, independently of presence or absence of HBP. Serum insulin post-stimulation was greater in obese and hypertensive subjects; The ratio insulin/glucose (R I/G) (insulinogenic index) was normal but it was higher in study group when compared with those of control group There was a direct correlation between serum insulin and BP values when compared during post stimulation period Our obese subjects behave as hyperinsulinemic after stimulation, but we could not conclude that high insulin levels are associated to HBP Obese subjects (with or without HBP) had high values of blood cholesterol and serum triglycerides; lower HDL-C and normal LDL-C Our conclusions: obese subjects with or without HBP behave as hyperinsulinemic suggesting the possibility of insulin resistance.