Infusion of triglycerides and heparin causes insulin resistance in muscle. Because the vascular actions of insulin, particularly capillary recruitment, may contribute to the increase in glucose uptake by skeletal muscle, we investigated the effects of Intralipid/heparin infusion on the hemodynamic actions of insulin during clamp conditions. Saline or 10% Intralipid/heparin (33 U/ml) was infused into anesthetized rats at 20 l/min for 6 h. At 4 h into the saline infusion, a 2-h hyperinsulinemic (3 mU ⅐ min ؊1 ⅐ kg ؊1 )-euglycemic clamp was conducted (Ins group). At 4 h into the lipid infusion, a 2-h saline control (Lip group) or 2-h hyperinsulinemiceuglycemic clamp (Lip ؉ Ins group) was conducted. Arterial blood pressure, heart rate, femoral blood flow (FBF), hindleg vascular resistance, glucose infusion rate (GIR), hindleg glucose uptake (HGU), and muscle 2-deoxyglucose uptake (Rg) were measured. Capillary recruitment, as measured by metabolism of infused 1-methylxanthine (1-MX), was also assessed. When compared with either Lip or Lip ؉ Ins, Ins had no effect on arterial blood pressure, heart rate, FBF, or vascular resistance but increased GIR, HGU, and Rg of soleus, plantaris, extensor digitorum longus, and gastrocnemius red muscles and hindlimb 1-MX metabolism. GIR, HGU, and Rg of soleus, plantaris, gastrocnemius red, and the combined muscles and 1-MX metabolism were less in Lip ؉ Ins than in Ins rats. HGU correlated closely with hindleg capillary recruitment (r ؍ 0.86, P < 0.001) but not total hindleg blood flow. In conclusion, acute elevation of plasma free fatty acids blocks insulinmediated glucose uptake and capillary recruitment.