Abnormalities of Insulin and Lipid Metabolism in Milan Hypertensive Rats

Abstract

Plasma glucose, insulin, triglyceride, and cholesterol concentrations were measured in male rats of the Milan hypertensive strain (MHS) and compared to the Milan normotensive strain (MNS) of the same body weight. Both blood pressure (P <.001) and left ventricular weight (P <.005) were higher in rats of the MHS. Although plasma glucose concentrations were similar in both groups, mean (± SEM) plasma insulin concentration were significantly higher (P <.01) in MHS as compared to MNS rats (30 ± 4 ν. 13 ± 5 μU/mL). In addition, mean (± SEM) plasma triglyceride concentrations were higher (P <.01) in MHS rats (112 ± 9 mg/dL) than in MNS rats (81 ± 6 mg/dL), as were plasma cholesterol concentrations (114 ± 3 ν 100 ± 2 mg/ dL, P <.001). These data demonstrate the presence of hyperinsulinemia and hypertriglyceridemia in another genetic model of rat hypertension. Am J Hypertens 1991;4:773–775