Intermittent hypoxia causes insulin resistance in lean mice independent of autonomic activity.

ABSTRACT:

Rationale and objectives

Although many clinical physiology and epidemiology studies show an association between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and markers of insulin resistance, no causal pathway has been established. The purpose of the current study was to determine if the intermittent hypoxia (IH) stimulus that characterizes OSA causes insulin resistance in the absence of obesity. Furthermore, we assessed the impact of IH on specific metabolic function in liver and muscle. Finally, we examined the potential mechanistic role of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) in mediating insulin resistance in response to IH.

Methods and results

Hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamps were conducted and whole-body insulin sensitivity, hepatic glucose output, and muscle-specific glucose utiliza

SUBMITTER: Iiyori N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1899294 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature