Increased glucose uptake precedes hyperinsulinemia in awake endotoxemic minipigs.

The role of hyperinsulinemia in the development of hypoglycemia was evaluated in awake Yucatan minipigs. Eight adult minipigs were fitted with jugular, portal, and hepatic vein and carotid artery catheters, and hepatic artery and portal vein flow cuffs for determination of transhepatic kinetics and insulin secretion. Three days later they were infused with E. coli endotoxin at 15 micrograms/kg/hr. Transient hyperinsulinemia was preceded by an elevation of the rate of glucose uptake (Rd) determined from [6-3H] glucose-specific activity. This finding suggested that hyperinsulinemia might be caused by, and then be contributory to, increased Rd. If an increase in glucose uptake was also experienced by pancreatic beta-cells, the existing glycemic state could be overestimated and an inappropriate insulin release elicited.