IngentaConnect Contribution of insulin resistance to vascular dysfunction

Authors: Anfossi, Giovanni¹; Russo, Isabella¹; Doronzo, Gabriella¹; Trovati, Mariella¹

Source: Archives of Physiology and Biochemistry, Volume 115, Number 4, October 2009 , pp. 199-217(19)

Abstract:

Insulin is a vascular hormone, able to influence vascular cell responses. In this review, we consider the insulin actions on vascular endothelium and on vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) both in physiological conditions and in the presence of insulin resistance. In particular, we focus the relationships between activation of insulin signalling pathways of phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3-K) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and the different vascular actions of insulin, with a particular attention to the insulin ability to activate the pathway nitric oxide (NO)/cyclic GMP/PKG via PI3-K, owing to the peculiar relevance of NO in vascular biology. We also discuss the insulin actions mediated by the MAPK pathway (such as endothelin-1 synthesis and secretion and VSMC proliferation and migration) and by the interactions between the two pathways, both in insulin-sensitive and in insulin-resistant states. Finally, we consider the influence of free fatty acids, cytokines and endothelin on vascular insulin resistance.

Keywords: Insulin; insulin resistance; endothelial cells; vascular smooth muscle cells; nitric oxide

Document Type: Review article

DOI: 10.1080/13813450903136791

Affiliations: 1: Internal Medicine University Unit, San Luigi Gonzaga Faculty of Medicine and Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences of the Turin University, San Luigi Gonzaga Hospital, 10043 Orbassano, Turin, Italy

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