Abstract-Insulin resistance may be an independent risk factor for the development of hypertension, but change in blood pressure (BP) over time has not been adequately studied in healthy individuals fully characterized for insulin sensitivity.In the Relationship between Insulin Sensitivity and Cardiovascular disease (RISC) study, we measured insulin sensitivity (M/I) using the euglycemic clamp technique in 1073 healthy European adults (587 women, 486 men) aged 30 to 60 years followed up 3 years later. Systolic BP (SBP) at baseline was higher in insulin-resistant women (ie, those in the low sex-specific M/I tertile) compared with those in the intermediate (P<0.001) or high tertiles (P=0.06; mean±SD: 117±13, 111±12, 114±12 mm Hg, respectively). It did not differ across M/I tertiles in men. After adjustment for age, body mass index, baseline SBP, and other covariates, low insulin sensitivity (M/I) predicted a longitudinal rise in SBP in women but not in men; M/I was not associated with change in diastolic BP. SBP rose over time in both sexes and within all M/I tertiles (P<0.05), except in women with high insulin sensitivity. Therefore, in women (but not in men), low insulin sensitivity was associated with higher SBP at 3 years, and high insulin sensitivity was associated with a lower rise in SBP
BP and Physical ExaminationBP was measured sitting after 5-minute rest by trained study nurses (OMRON 705CP, Hamburg, Germany) in triplicate, according to a standard protocol: the median of these readings was used in this analysis. Median systolic BP (SBP) ≥140 mm Hg and median diastolic BP (DBP) ≥90 mm Hg at follow-up were taken to indicate hypertension. 34,35 Participants who had been identified and commenced on treatment in routine care (n=46) were classified as hypertensive. Height was measured by stadiometer. Body weight, percentage of body fat, and lean body mass (lbm) were evaluated by bioimpedance (TBF-300, Tanita International Division, United Kingdom).
Insulin SensitivityInsulin sensitivity was measured by a standard hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp technique as previously described, after central training of site staff.33 Target plasma glucose concentration was between 4.5 and 5.5 mmol/L; insulin was infused at a rate of 240 pmol·min. Plasma glucose was measured at 5-to 10-minute intervals to ensure it remained within 0.8 mmol/L (±15%) of target glucose concentration. The steady-state period (for calculation of insulin sensitivity) was between 80 and 120 minutes. The glucose infusion rate (M value) was expressed in mg·min
Biological SamplesTotal cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglycerides were assayed by enzymatic colorimetric assay (Roche), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol was calculated by the Friedewald formula. A 75-g oral glucose tolerance test was used to exclude participants with diabetes mellitus at inclusion (or developing diabetes mellitus during follow-up), with glucose assayed centrally by the glucose oxidase method (Cobas Integra, Roche).
Other MeasuresPhysical acti...