Inhibition of the rise in FFA by acipimox partially prevents GH-induced insulin resistance in GH-deficient adults

To test the hypothesis that GH-induced insulin resistance is mediated by an increase in FFA levels we assessed insulin sensitivity after inhibiting the increase in FFA by a nicotine acid derivative, Acipimox, in nine GH-deficient adults receiving GH replacement therapy. The patients received in a double blind fashion either Acipimox (500 mg) or placebo before a 2-h euglycemic (plasma glucose, 5.5 +/- 0.2 mmol/liter) hyperinsulinemic (serum insulin, 28.7 +/- 6.3 mU/liter) clamp in combination with indirect calorimetry and infusion of [3-H-3]glucose. Acipimox decreased fasting FFA by 88% (P = 0.012) and basal lipid oxidation by 39% (P = 0.015) compared with placebo. In addition, the insulin-stimulated lipid oxidation was 31% (P = 0.0077) lower during Acipimox than during placebo. Acipimox increased insulin-stimulated total glucose uptake by 36% (P = 0.021) compared with placebo, which mainly was due to a 47% (P = 0.015) increase in glucose oxidation. GH induced insulin resistance is partially prevented by inhibition of lipolysis by Acipimox.