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Similarity of cutaneous reactive hyperemia in the forearm of women with and without hyperinsulinemia

International Journal of Obesity volume 28, pages 611–615 (2004)Cite this article

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The present study was undertaken to assess in pre- and postmenopausal women whether obesity influences cutaneous reactive hyperemia in the forearm.

DESIGN: Cross-sectional study.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Eight lean premenopausal (age 24.6±3.5 y, BMI=21.9±1.5 kg/m2, mean±1 s.d.), eight obese premenopausal (age 27.8±5.1 y, BMI=35.3±5.8 kg/m2), eight lean postmenopausal (age 56.1±8.3 y, BMI=20.2±2.2 kg/m2) and eight obese postmenopausal women (age 57.4±6.1 y, BMI=32.8±3 kg/m2) were included. Plasma glucose, insulin and lipid profile were determined in fasting state, and a glucose tolerance test was performed. The skin blood flow response to transient occlusion of the forearm circulation (reactive hyperemia, RH) was measured using a laser-Doppler imaging system.

RESULTS: Obese women had hyperinsulinemia, suggesting that they were insulin-resistant. The magnitude of the RH was similar in postmenopausal compared to premenopausal women. Obesity did not influence this microvascular response.

CONCLUSION: Obesity, which is known to be associated with impaired endothelial-dependent vasodilation in the skeletal musculature, has no effect on the RH of the forearm skin microcirculation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Physiology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, 1005, Switzerland

    A-J Seywert & L Tappy

  2. Division of Clinical Pathophysiology and Medical Teaching, University Hospital, Lausanne, 1011, Switzerland

    S Kubli, F Feihl & B Waeber

  3. Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland

    V Giusti & L Tappy

Authors
  1. A-J Seywert
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  2. S Kubli
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  3. V Giusti
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  4. F Feihl
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  5. B Waeber
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  6. L Tappy
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Correspondence to L Tappy.

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Seywert, AJ., Kubli, S., Giusti, V. et al. Similarity of cutaneous reactive hyperemia in the forearm of women with and without hyperinsulinemia. Int J Obes 28, 611–615 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijo.0802587

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijo.0802587

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