Nasal insulin administration does not affect hepatic glucose production at systemic fasting insulin levels

Peter Plomgaard*, Jakob S. Hansen, Bodil Ingerslev, Jens O. Clemmesen, Niels H. Secher, Gerrit van Hall, Andreas Fritsche, Cora Weigert, Rainer Lehmann, Hans Ulrich Häring, Martin Heni

*Corresponding author for this work
2 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Aims: To evaluate the effects of brain insulin on endogenous glucose production in fasting humans, with a focus on hepatic glucose release by performing a randomized, placebo-controlled, blinded, crossover experiment. Materials and methods: On two separate days, 2 H 2 -glucose was infused to nine healthy lean men, and blood was sampled from the hepatic vein and a radial artery. On day 1, participants received 160 U human insulin through nasal spray, and on day 2 they received placebo spray, together with an intravenous insulin bolus to mimic spillover of nasal insulin to the circulation. Hepatic glucose fluxes and endogenous glucose production were calculated. Results: Plasma insulin concentrations were similar on the two study days, and no differences in whole-body endogenous glucose production or hepato-splanchnic glucose turnover were detected. Conclusions: Nasal administration of insulin does not influence whole-body or hepatic glucose production in fasting humans. By contrast, pharmacological delivery of insulin to the brain might modulate insulin effectiveness in glucose-producing tissue when circulating insulin levels are elevated; therefore, the metabolic consequences of brain insulin action appear to be dependent on metabolic prandial status.

Original languageEnglish
JournalDiabetes, Obesity and Metabolism
Volume21
Issue number4
Pages (from-to)993-1000
ISSN1462-8902
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2019

Keywords

  • basal insulin
  • clinical physiology
  • liver

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