CORRELATION BETWEEN BLOOD-PRESSURE AND PLASMA-INSULIN IN ACROMEGALY

Objectives. The aims of this study were to determine the possible role of hyperinsulinaemia in the increase in blood pressure in acromegalic patients. Design. After an overnight fast, blood samples were obtaine d at 0, 30, 60, 120 and 180 min after 75 g glucose ingestion, and plas ma growth hormone (GH) and plasma insulin (IRI) were measured by radio -immunoassay. The blood pressure was measured at 10.00 hours for 3 day s in a supine position. Subjects. Nineteen (nine women and 10 men) unt reated acromegalic patients, aged 25-69 years. Results. There were no significant correlations between mean blood pressure (MBP; diastolic+o ne-third pulse pressure) and basal GH, sum of plasma GH at 0, 30, 60, 120 and 180 min or basal IRI. However, significant correlation was obs erved between MBP and IRI at 120 min (r = 0.57, P < 0.02) or sum of pl asma IRI at 0, 30, 60, 120 and 180 min) (r = 0.58, P < 0.02). Conclusi ons. We conclude that hyperinsulinaemia may be involved in an increase in blood pressure in active acromegalics.