Skeletal muscle glycogen synthase activity in subjects with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus after glyburide therapy

Sulfonylureas are used in the treatment of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) largely because of their ability to enhance insulin secretion and possibly to potentiate insulin action. In this study, we investigated the effects of chronic glyburide treatment on glycogen synthase activity determined in skeletal muscle biopsies taken during euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamps in nine Pima Indians with NIDDM. Insulin was infused at the rate of 40 mU/m 2/min (low dose) followed by 400 mU/m 2/min (high dose). Compared with the fasting value, the mean glycogen synthase activity assayed at low glucose-6-phosphate (G6P) concentration (active glycogen synthase) showed no significant changes during insulin infusion before glyburide treatment. After glyburide treatment, the mean active glycogen synthase increased by 39% ( P < .05) above the fasting value during the high-dose insulin infusion. Total glycogen synthase activity assayed at high G6P concentration did not change after glyburide treatment. Changes of insulin-stimulated active glycogen synthase associated with glyburide treatment correlated with changes in total body glucose disposal rates ( r = .70, P < .05) during euglycemic clamps. We conclude that glyburide treatment of subjects with NIDDM is associated with an increase in insulin action in vivo and concomitantly with improved insulin action on skeletal muscle glycogen synthase.