Free Fatty Acid Induced Insulin Resistance

Increased availability of free fatty acids impairs glucose disposal in young healthy humans. Patients with type 2 diabetes have reduced whole body glucose disposal, increased ectopic lipid deposition in skeletal muscle and the liver and impaired mitochondrial function. Recent studies suggest that lipid metabolites such as diacylglycerol (DAG), ceramides and long-chain acyl-coA represent the active mediators inducing insulin resistance. Possible targets are DAG-sensitive Proteinkinase C (PKC θ, PKC ε) which inhibit the insulin signaling cascade and ceramides which interfere with the insulin signaling cascade at Proteinkinase B/AKT. Prior studies raised controvesial evidence, thus, it is yet unclear, whether DAG or ceramides are the primary agents inducig lipid-induced insulin resistance. Therefore, the current study aims to explore the time course of the appearance of intramyocellular lipid compunds during lipid infusion in parallel assessing markers of impaired insulin action.

Inclusion criteria

• non-diabetic (OGTT), no family history of diabetes, BMI<30 kg/m2, age: 20-55 years, no medication

For the athletes group additionally:

• VO2max > 60ml/kg/min for males and VO2max > 45ml/kg/min for females Active in endurance-exercise activities, 3 times a week for at least 2 years Stable level of training for at least 3 months

Exclusion criteria

• acute illness within the last 2 weeks, autoimmune diseases, renal insufficiency (creatinine> 1.5 mg/dl), cardiovascular diseases, anemia (Hb< 12g/l), donation of blood within the last 4 weeks before the study, thyroid diseases, pregnancy, smoking, night-shift working (disturbed circadian rhythm), defective coagulation or wound healing, cancer, allergy against soja products