Using the euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic glucose clamp and the human forearm technique, we have demonstrated that the improved glucose disposal rate observed after the administration of an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor such as captopril may be primarily due to increased muscle glucose uptake (MGU). These results are not surprising because ACE, which is identical to the bradykinin (BK)-degrading kininase II, is abundantly present in muscle tissue, and its inhibition has been observed to elicit the observed metabolic actions via elevated tissue concentrations of BK and through a BK B2 receptor site in muscle and/or endothelial tissue. These findings are supported by several previous studies. Exogenous BK applied into the brachial artery of the human forearm not only augmented muscle blood flow (MBF) but also enhanced the rate of MGU. In another investigation, during rhythmic voluntary contraction, both MBF and MGU increased in response to the higher energy expenditure, and the release of BK rose in the blood vessel, draining the working muscle tissue. Inhibition of the activity of the BK-generating protease in muscle tissue (kallikrein) with aprotinin significantly diminished these functional responses during contraction. Applying the same kallikrein inhibitor during the infusion of insulin into the brachial artery significantly reduced the effect of insulin on glucose uptake into forearm muscle. This is of interest, because in recent studies insulin has been suggested to elicit its actions on MBF and MGU via the accelerated release of endothelium-derived nitric oxide, the generation of which is also stimulated by BK in a concentration-dependent manner. This new evidence obtained from in vitro and in vivo studies sheds new light on the discussion of whether BK may play a role in energy metabolism of skeletal muscle tissue.
Skip Nav Destination
Article navigation
Articles|
January 01 1996
Potential Role of Bradykinin in Forearm Muscle Metabolism in Humans
Günther J Dietze;
Günther J Dietze
Diabetes Research Institute
Munich
Hypertension and Diabetes Research Unit, Max Grundig Clinic
Bühl, Germany
Search for other works by this author on:
Matthias Wicklmayr;
Matthias Wicklmayr
Third Medical Department, Schwabing Hospital
Munich
Diabetes Research Institute
Munich
Search for other works by this author on:
Kristian Rett;
Kristian Rett
Third Medical Department, Schwabing Hospital
Munich
Diabetes Research Institute
Munich
Search for other works by this author on:
Stephan Jacob;
Stephan Jacob
Hypertension and Diabetes Research Unit, Max Grundig Clinic
Bühl, Germany
Search for other works by this author on:
Erik J Henriksen
Erik J Henriksen
Department of Exercise and Sport Sciences, University of Arizona
Tucson, Arizona
Search for other works by this author on:
Address correspondence and reprint requests to Dr. G.J. Dietze, Hypertension and Diabetes Research Unit, Max Grundig Clinic, Schwarzwaldhochstrasse 1, 77815 Bühl, Germany
Citation
Günther J Dietze, Matthias Wicklmayr, Kristian Rett, Stephan Jacob, Erik J Henriksen; Potential Role of Bradykinin in Forearm Muscle Metabolism in Humans. Diabetes 1 January 1996; 45 (Supplement_1): S110–S114. https://doi.org/10.2337/diab.45.1.S110
Download citation file: