Insulin resistance and impaired fat tolerance in men with coronary heart disease and ideal body weight

Abstract

Hormonal and metabolic disorders underlie the development of coronary heart disease (CHD). Insulin resistance, hyperinsulinemia, dyslipdemia and frequently obesity play a particular role in the pathogenesis of this disease. The purpose of this study was to characterize the basic parameters of the metabolic insulin resistance syndrome in males with CHD and an ideal body weight. A hundred and fifty-eight males were examined. They were divided into 3 groups: 1) patients with CHD and an ideal body weight; 2) those with CHD and obesity; and 3) males without CHD and obesity (a control group). The patients underwent athropometric studies; computed tomography was performed to determine the volume of abdominal fatty tissue; the blood levels of glucose, insulin, and lipids were measured. Dietary food load tests were used to study the functional activity of the lipid-transport system. Group 1 patients were found to have the major signs of the metabolic insulin-resistance syndrome: basal and stimulated hyperinsulinemia, dyslipidemia, the increased volume of visceral fatty tissue, and impaired fat tolerance.