부산대학교 도서관

Glucose (sugar) metabolism is controlled by the hormone insulin. Factors present in nonobese patients with coronary artery disease and abnormal glucose tolerance include high levels of insulin (hyperinsulinemia), triglycerides and high blood pressure. It is suggested that abnormal insulin metabolism may play a role in coronary artery disease. To study the response of insulin in the blood, two groups (32 patients each) of nondiabetic patients with normal glucose tolerance and normal blood pressure were compared. One group, with hyperinsulinemia, had significantly higher glucose and triglyceride levels, lower high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels, and higher blood pressure than the group with normal insulin levels. Therefore, otherwise healthy patients with high insulin levels or insulin resistance and normal glucose tolerance have an increase in risk factors for coronary heart disease.