1. Racial differences in the relation between blood pressure and insulin resistance
- Author
-
Saad, Mohammed F., Lillioja, Stephen, Nyomba, Bulangu L., Castillo, Charles, Ferraro, Robert, De Gregorio, Michele, Ravussin, Eric, Knowler, William C., Bennett, Peter H., Howard, Barbara V., and Bogardus, Clifton
- Subjects
Pimas -- Health aspects ,Race -- Physiological aspects ,Insulin resistance -- Demographic aspects ,Blood pressure -- Demographic aspects - Abstract
Insulin resistance is frequently observed among patients with high blood pressure (hypertension), and may even cause it by stimulating the autonomic nervous system, increasing salt retention in the kidneys, or other effects. However, several studies have been unable to demonstrate a relationship between insulin concentrations and blood pressure. Insulin resistance and high levels of insulin in the blood (hyperinsulinemia) are common among Pima Indians, but they are less likely to suffer from high blood pressure than the general population. One hundred sixteen Pima Indians, 53 whites and 42 blacks were studied to determine the relationship between insulin and blood pressure. Although the Pima Indians were by and large fatter, had higher plasma insulin concentrations, and were more resistant to insulin than whites or blacks, there was no significant difference in average blood pressure among the groups. The racial differences in this and other studies, including studies of Chinese men on Taiwan, and Hindu, Muslim, Chinese and Creoles on Mauritius, indicate that positive relations between blood insulin levels, insulin resistance, and blood pressure are not universal. The effect of insulin may be a result of interaction with other variables. It is known that blacks with normal blood pressure are more sensitive to salt, secrete less aldosterone (a hormone regulating salt and potassium in the blood), and have lower plasma renin (an enzyme affecting blood pressure) activity than whites. It is also possible that insulin does not affect blood pressure, and that both insulin and blood pressure are affected through other inherited or acquired mechanisms. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
- Published
- 1991