TRANSIENT DECREASE OF BINDING OF INSULIN TO PLATELETS IN ACUTE ISCHEMIC-HEART-DISEASE

The specific binding sites of I-125-insulin in platelets from nondiabe tic patients with acute myocardial infarction and unstable angina pect oris was significantly decreased (192 +/- 84/cell) during the acute is chemic condition when compared with normal platelets (496 +/- 76/ cell ; p < 0.001, n = 9). A relatively low mean plasma insulin level (20 mu U/mL) with an elevated mean glucose level (130 mg/dL) was noted. The decreased binding of insulin and the relatively low mean plasma insuli n level during the acute ischemic condition improved into the normal r ange during 8 to 12 weeks of recuperation. The decrease of insulin bin ding sites in the acute phase and their subsequent increase during rec overy were directly related to the hormone-induced increase in sensiti vity to prostaglandin E(1) through the stimulation of adenosine 3',5'- cyclic monophosphate formation in platelets by the prostanoid.