Insulin's hidden effect on blood pressure
Chronic Insulin Infusion Down-Regulates Circulating and Urinary Nitric Oxide (NO) Levels Despite Molecular Changes in the Kidney Predicting Greater Endothelial NO Synthase Activity in Mice
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
When mice got extra insulin, their blood vessels couldn't relax as well because less NO was made, even though the body tried to make more. This made their blood pressure go up a bit at first, and their blood became more acidic with higher salt levels.
Surprising Findings
Increased kidney eNOS activity but decreased NOx levels
Scientists expected more nitric oxide production with higher eNOS activity, but insulin resistance reversed this effect
Practical Takeaways
Diabetics on insulin should discuss monitoring blood pH and sodium levels with their doctor
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
When mice got extra insulin, their blood vessels couldn't relax as well because less NO was made, even though the body tried to make more. This made their blood pressure go up a bit at first, and their blood became more acidic with higher salt levels.
Surprising Findings
Increased kidney eNOS activity but decreased NOx levels
Scientists expected more nitric oxide production with higher eNOS activity, but insulin resistance reversed this effect
Practical Takeaways
Diabetics on insulin should discuss monitoring blood pH and sodium levels with their doctor
Publication
Journal
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
Year
2018
Authors
Maurice B Fluitt, Sophia Rizvi, Lijun Li, Ashley Alunan, Hwal Lee, Swasti Tiwari, C. Ecelbarger
Related Content
Claims (7)
Chronic elevation of insulin activates the sympathetic nervous system, leading to increased heart rate, cardiac output, and peripheral vasoconstriction, thereby raising blood pressure.
In mice with insulin resistance, giving extra insulin for two weeks lowered the levels of nitric oxide breakdown products in blood and urine by almost half, even though the kidney showed signs of producing more nitric oxide.
In mice with insulin resistance, long-term insulin treatment raised blood sodium levels by about 5 units.
In mice with insulin resistance, insulin treatment caused a significant rise in the anion gap (a measure of acid in the blood), suggesting the blood became more acidic.
In mice with insulin resistance, insulin treatment lowered blood urea nitrogen levels by about two-thirds, which may indicate changes in kidney function or diet.