EFFECTS OF A QUICK-RELEASE FORM OF BROMOCRIPTINE (ERGOSET) ON FASTINGAND POSTPRANDIAL PLASMA-GLUCOSE, INSULIN, LIPID, AND LIPOPROTEIN CONCENTRATIONS IN OBESE NONDIABETIC HYPERINSULINEMIC WOMEN

OBJECTIVE - To assess the effect on various aspects of carbohydrate an d lipid metabolism of administering a quick-release formulation of bro mocriptine (Ergoset) to obese, nondiabetic, hyperinsulinemic women. RE SEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS - Hourly concentrations of prolactin, glucos e, insulin, free fatty acid (FFA), and triglyceride were measured for 24 h before and after approximately 8 weeks of treatment with Ergoset. In addition, fasting lipid and lipoprotein concentrations and the ste ady-state plasma glucose (SSPG) concentration in response to a continu ous infusion of somatostatin, insulin, and glucose were determined bef ore and after Ergoset administration. RESULTS - Circulating prolactin concentrations were dramatically decreased (P < 0.001) following treat ment, associated with a significant fall (P < 0.05) in 24-h-long plasm a glucose, FFA, and triglyceride concentrations. Neither circulating p lasma insulin concentrations nor the ability of insulin to mediate glu cose disposal changed with treatment. Finally fasting total cholestero l fell (P < 0.05) and the ratio of total to HDL cholesterol decreased (P = 0.06) in association with Ergoset treatment. CONCLUSIONS - The fa ct that significant metabolic improvement was seen in the obese nondia betic hyperinsulinemic women studied suggests that Ergoset could be of therapeutic benefit in clinical conditions of hyperglycemia and/or dy slipidemia.