Carbohydrate-induced hypertriglyceridemia: An insight into the link between plasma insulin and triglyceride concentrations

This study was initiated to test the hypothesis that endogenous hypertrigly ceridemia results from a defect in the ability of insulin to inhibit the re lease of very low-density lipoprotein-triglyceride (TG) from the liver. To accomplish this goal, plasma glucose, insulin, free fatty acid (FFA), and T G concentrations were compared in 12 healthy volunteers, in response to die ts containing either 40% or 60% of total calories as carbohydrate (CHO). Th e protein content of the two diets was similar (15% of calories), and the f at content varied inversely with the amount of CHO (45% or 25%). The diets were consumed in random order, and measurements were made of plasma glucose , insulin, FFA, and TG concentrations at the end of each dietary period, fa sting, and at hourly intervals following breakfast and lunch. The results i ndicated that the 60% CHO diet resulted in higher fasting plasma TG concent rations associated with higher day-long plasma insulin and TG concentration s, and lower FFA concentrations. These results do not support the view that hypertriglyceridemia is secondary to a failure of insulin to inhibit hepat ic TG secretion.