An in vitro human muscle preparation suitable for metabolic studies: decreased insulin stimulation of glucose transport in muscle from morbidly obese and diabetic subjects

• Published in: The Journal of clinical investigation Vol. 82; no. 2; pp. 486 - 494
• Main Authors: DOHM, G. L, TAPSCOTT, E. B, PORIES, W. J, FLICKINGER, E. G, MEELHEIM, D, FUSHIKI, T, ATKINSON, S. M, ELTON, C. W, CARO, J. F
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ann Arbor, MI American Society for Clinical Investigation 01-08-1988
• Subjects: 3-O-Methylglucose; Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Biological Transport - drug effects; Deoxyglucose - metabolism; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - complications; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - metabolism; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - pathology; Endocrinopathies; Female; Glucose - metabolism; Glucose Tolerance Test; Humans; In Vitro Techniques; Insulin Resistance; Male; Medical sciences; Methylglucosides - metabolism; Muscles - metabolism; Muscles - ultrastructure; Obesity, Morbid - complications; Obesity, Morbid - metabolism; Obesity, Morbid - pathology; Time Factors
• ISSN: 0021-9738; 1558-8238
• DOI: 10.1172/jci113622

We have developed an in vitro muscle preparation suitable for metabolic studies with human muscle tissue and have investigated the effects of obesity and non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) on glucose transport. Transport of 3-O-methylglucose and 2-deoxyglucose was stimulated approximately twofold by insulin in muscle from normal nonobese subjects and stimulation occurred in the normal physiological range of insulin concentrations. In contrast to insulin stimulation of 3-O-methylglucose and 2-deoxyglucose transport in muscle from normal, nonobese subjects, tissue from morbidly obese subjects, with or without NIDDM, were not responsive to insulin. Maximal 3-O-methylglucose transport was lower in muscle of obese than nonobese subjects. Morbidly obese patients, with or without NIDDM, have a severe state of insulin resistance in glucose transport. The novel in vitro human skeletal muscle preparation herein described should be useful in investigating the mechanism of this insulin resistance.