Influence of Central Nervous Insulin Action on Insulin Sensitivity of Peripheral Organs in Lean Versus Overweight Humans

Research in animals and first experiments in humans indicate that insulin action in the brain regulates peripheral insulin sensitivity. One major organ might be the liver. Previous studies in humans showed that the human brain is an insulin sensitive organ in lean but not in overweight/obese persons. Therefore, this study will include lean versus overweight/obese persons.

In this study, insulin action will be introduced by intranasal insulin administration in lean and overweight humans. As a control, placebo spray will be administered. To mimick the known spill over of small amounts of intranasal insulin into circulation, a small bolus of insulin will be administered over 15 minutes following placebo spray application.

Peripheral insulin sensitivity will be assessed by hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic glucose clamp and glucose uptake and endogenous glucose production will be assessed by tracer dilution technique. Autonomous nervous system activity will be addressed by heart rate variability. Involved brain areas will be addressed by fMRI before and after nasal insulin application.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Male volunteers (lean or overweight/obese)
• HbA1c <6.0%
• Age between 18 and 40 years
• healthy as assessed by physician
• Understanding the explanations about the study and instructions

Exclusion Criteria:

• non-removable metal parts in or on the body
• Persons with reduced temperature sensation and / or increased sensitivity to warming of the body
• Cardiovascular disease can not be excluded, such as evident coronary heart disease, congestive heart failure NYHA greater than 2, history of coronary artery disease
• History of stroke
• Persons with a hearing disorder or increased sensitivity to loud noises
• People with claustrophobia
• Subjects in which less than 3 months have passed since surgery
• Simultaneous participation in other studies
• Acute disease or infection within the last 4 weeks
• Neurological and psychiatric disorders
• Subjects with hemoglobin Hb <13g / dl
• Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia people with a (HIT) in prehistory
• Allergies to any of the used solutions/devices