Insulin secretion, sensitivity, and metabolic profile of young healthy offspring of hypertensive parents

Hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance are commonly observed in essential hypertension, which is part of the metabolic syndrome. The aim of this study was to examine whether insulin secretion abnormalities or alterations in insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance are also present in healthy men, offspring of patients with essential hypertension. Twelve young (27 ± 3.6 years), lean normotensive offspring were compared with 14 age-, sex-, and body mass index (BMI)-matched controls without a family history of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and coronary heart disease. We studied glucose tolerance, insulin secretion, and sensitivity using 10-hour hyperglycemic and 10-hour hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamps (HIC). Glucose tolerance was comparable in the offspring and controls. However, the offspring had higher insulin and C-peptide levels during the hyperglycemic clamp (HGC) compared with controls ( P < .05). There was no difference in the early phase of insulin secretion between the groups. The insulin sensitivity index (glucose infusion rate/serum insulin) was significantly lower in the offspring during both clamps. Moreover, the offspring had higher systolic ( P < .001) and diastolic ( P < .001) blood pressure and had higher serum cholesterol ( P < .01) and triglyceride ( P < .05) levels. Apparently healthy, young, lean individuals with a genetic predisposition to essential hypertension and with normal glucose tolerance had higher insulin secretion and lower insulin sensitivity than controls. These abnormalities, together with higher blood pressure and altered lipid metabolism, may play a role in the development of hypertension and an increased risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in these individuals.