Motor function in type 2 diabetes is largely unknown. In 36 type 2 diabetic patients and in 36 control subjects matched for sex, age, weight, height, and physical activity, strength of flexors and extensors at elbow, wrist, knee, and ankle was assessed at isokinetic dynamometry. The degree of neuropathy was determined by clinical scores, nerve conduction studies, and quantitative sensory testing. Eventually, all results were summed to obtain a neuropathy rank-sum score (NRSS). The degree of nephropathy and retinal condition were also evaluated. Diabetic patients had a 17 and 14% reduction of strength of ankle flexors (P < 0.02) and ankle extensors (P < 0.03), respectively. At the knee, strength of extensors and flexors was reduced by 7% (NS) and 14% (P < 0.05), respectively. At the elbow and wrist, muscle strength was preserved. The NRSS was related to the strength at the ankle (r = −0.45, P < 0.01) and knee (r = −0.42, P < 0.02). Following multiple regression analysis, the NRSS but not the degree of nephropathy or retinopathy was related to strength at the ankle and knee. In conclusion, type 2 diabetic patients may have muscle weakness at the ankle and knee related to presence and severity of peripheral neuropathy.

Cortisol's effects on lipid metabolism are controversial and may involve stimulation of both lipolysis and lipogenesis. This study was undertaken to define the role of physiological hypercortisolemia on systemic and regional lipolysis in humans. We investigated seven healthy young male volunteers after an overnight fast on two occasions by means of microdialysis and palmitate turnover in a placebo-controlled manner with a pancreatic pituitary clamp involving inhibition with somatostatin and substitution of growth hormone, glucagon, and insulin at basal levels. Hydrocortisone infusion increased circulating concentrations of cortisol (888 ± 12 vs. 245 ± 7 nmol/l). Interstitial glycerol concentrations rose in parallel in abdominal (327 ± 35 vs. 156 ± 30 μmol/l; P = 0.05) and femoral (178 ± 28 vs. 91 ± 22 μmol/l; P = 0.02) adipose tissue. Systemic [³H]palmitate turnover increased (165 ± 17 vs. 92 ± 24 μmol/min; P = 0.01). Levels of insulin, glucagon, and growth hormone were comparable. In conclusion, the present study unmistakenly shows that cortisol in physiological concentrations is a potent stimulus of lipolysis and that this effect prevails equally in both femoral and abdominal adipose tissue.

Growth hormone (GH) and cortisol are important to ensure energy supplies during fasting and stress. In vitro experiments have raised the question whether GH and cortisol mutually potentiate lipolysis. In the present study, combined in vivo effects of GH and cortisol on adipose and muscle tissue were explored. Seven lean males were examined four times over 510 min. Microdialysis catheters were inserted in the vastus lateralis muscle and in the subcutaneous adipose tissue of the thigh and abdomen. A pancreatic-pituitary clamp was maintained with somatostatin infusion and replacement of GH, insulin, and glucagon at baseline levels. At t = 150 min, administration was performed of NaCl (I), a 2 μg·kg^-1·min^-1hydrocortisone infusion (II), a 200-μg bolus of GH (III), or a combination of II and III (IV). Systemic free fatty acid (FFA) turnover was estimated by [9,10-³H]palmitate appearance. Circulating levels of glucose, insulin, and glucagon were comparable in I-IV. GH levels were similar in I and II (0.50 ± 0.08 μg/l, mean ± SE). Peak levels during III and IV were ∼9 μg/l. Cortisol levels rose to ∼900 nmol/l in II and IV. Systemic (i.e., palmitate fluxes, s-FFA, s-glycerol) and regional (interstitial adipose tissue and skeletal muscle) markers of lipolysis increased in response to both II and III. In IV, they were higher and equal to the isolated additive effects of the two hormones. In conclusion, we find that GH and cortisol stimulate systemic and regional lipolysis independently and in an additive manner when coadministered. On the basis of previous studies, we speculate that the mode of action is mediated though different pathways.

Context: Pegvisomant is a specific GH receptor antagonist that is able to normalize serum IGF-I concentrations in most patients with acromegaly. The impact of pegvisomant on insulin sensitivity and substrate metabolism is less well described. Patients and Methods: We assessed basal and insulin-stimulated (euglycemic clamp) substrate metabolism in seven patients with active acromegaly before and after 4-wk pegvisomant treatment (15 mg/d) in an open design. Results: After pegvisomant, IGF-I decreased, whereas GH increased (IGF-I, 621 ± 82 vs. 247 ± 33 μg/liter, P = 0.02; GH, 5.3 ± 1.5 vs. 10.8 ± 3.3 μg/liter, P = 0.02). Basal serum insulin and plasma glucose levels decreased after treatment (insulin, 54 ± 5.9 vs. 42 ± 5.3 pmol/liter, P = 0.001; glucose, 5.7 ± 0.1 vs. 5.3 ± 0.0 mmol/liter, not significant), whereas palmitate kinetics were unaltered. During the clamp, the glucose infusion rate increased after pegvisomant (3.1 ± 0.5 vs. 4.4 ± 0.6 mg/kg·min, P = 0.02), whereas the suppression of endogenous glucose production tended to increase (0.7 ± 0.0 vs. 0.5 ± 0.1 mg/kg·min, not significant). Total resting energy expenditure decreased after pegvisomant treatment (1703 ± 109 vs. 1563 ± 101 kcal/24 h, P = 0.03), but the rate of lipid oxidation did not change significantly. Conclusions: 1) Pegvisomant treatment for 4 wk improves peripheral and hepatic insulin sensitivity in acromegaly. 2) This is associated with a decrease in resting energy expenditure, whereas free fatty acid metabolism is unaltered. 3) The data support the important direct effects of GH on glucose metabolism and add additional benefits to pegvisomant treatment for acromegaly.

The ability of growth hormone (GH) to stimulate lipolysis and cause insulin resistance in skeletal muscle may be causally linked, but the mechanisms remain obscure. We investigated the impact of GH on the turnover of FFA and VLDL-TG, intramuscular triglyceride content (IMTG), and insulin sensitivity (euglycemic clamp) in nine healthy men in a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled crossover study after 8 days treatment with (A) Placebo + Placebo, (B) GH (2 mg daily) + Placebo, and (C) GH (2 mg daily) + Acipimox (250 mg × 3 daily). In the basal state, GH (B) increased FFA levels (P < 0.05), palmitate turnover (P < 0.05), and lipid oxidation (P = 0.05), but VLDL-TG kinetics were unaffected. Administration of acipimox (C) suppressed basal lipolysis but did not influence VLDL-TG kinetics. In the basal state, IMTG content increased after GH (B; P = 0.03). Insulin resistance was induced by GH irrespective of concomitant acipimox (P < 0.001). The turnover of FFA and VLDL-TG was suppressed by hyperinsulinemia during placebo and GH, whereas coadministration of acipimox induced a rebound increase FFA turnover and VLDL-TG clearance. We conclude that these results show that GH-induced insulin resistance is associated with increased IMTG and unaltered VLDL-TG kinetics; we hypothesize that fat oxidation in muscle tissue is an important primary effect of GH and that circulating FFA rather than VLDL-TG constitute the major source for this process; and the role of IMTG in the development of GH-induced insulin resistance merits future research.