Metabolic actions of insulin in men and women

Abstract

Insulin is an important regulator of glucose, lipid and protein metabolism. It suppresses hepatic glucose and triglyceride production, inhibits adipose tissue lipolysis and whole-body and muscle proteolysis and stimulates glucose uptake in muscle. In this review we discuss what is currently known about the control of substrate metabolism by insulin in men and women. The data available so far indicate that women are more sensitive to insulin with regards to glucose metabolism (both in the liver and in muscle) whereas there are no differences between men and women in insulin action on lipolysis. Potential differences exist in the regulation of plasma triglyceride concentration and protein metabolism by insulin and in changes in insulin-action in response to stimuli (e.g., weight loss and exercise) that are known to alter insulin sensitivity. However, these areas have not been studied comprehensively enough to draw firm conclusions.

Effects of estradiol, estrogen receptor subtype-selective agonists and genistein on glucose metabolism in leptin resistant female Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rats

“…In liver, insulin regulates glucose metabolism by decreasing gluconeogenesis and inducing glycogenesis. In skeletal muscle (the major site of whole body glucose disposal) and white adipose tissue (the major site of long-term energy storage) insulin initiates the translocation of vesicles containing the GLUT4 to the plasma membrane, enabling the uptake of glucose [69,70]. In this study, the translocation of the insulin-dependent GLUT4 to the cell membrane in the gastrocnemius muscle was similar in SHAM and E2-treated animals and more effective than in untreated OVX animals (Fig.…”

The Effect of Type 2 Diabetes on Body Composition of Older Adults

“…Fat mass loss in type 2 diabetes might be explained by impaired insulin action, which accelerates adipose tissue lipolysis. 52 In conclusion, type 2 diabetes in old age is associated with unfavorable changes in body composition, in particular, the accelerated loss of lean mass. More prospective studies are needed to understand the impact of type 2 diabetes on changes in fat mass and fat distribution, because current evidence is limited.…”

The impact of sleep on age-related sarcopenia: Possible connections and clinical implications

“…Insulin promotes muscle anabolism and inhibits muscle proteolysis (Magkos et al, 2010;Punjabi et al, 2004;Guillet and Boirie, 2005;Boirie et al, 2001). Impaired glucose metabolism and the development of diabetes increase the risk of lean body mass decline in aged individuals (Rasmussen et al, 2006;Park et al, 2009Park et al, , 2007.…”